INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL ISRO

SATELLITE APPLICATIONS & SERVICES

It is because of ISRO that a fleet of commercial communication satellites operates over India, providing essential services like television, telecommunication, radio networking, strategic communication, and societal applications. These satellites, equipped with communication transponders in different bands, serve prominent users such as BSNL, Doordarshan, All India Radio, government agencies, private Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) operators, and more. Apart from television coverage, Radio Networking (RN) through INSAT ensures reliable high-fidelity programme channels for national and regional networking. The Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites, launched in 1988, paved the way for critical applications like agriculture monitoring, urban planning, environmental management, and disaster response.

The Telemedicine pilot project, initiated by ISRO in 2001, changed the trajectory of healthcare accessibility, connecting remote areas with medical experts through ICT-based systems, customised medical software, and VSAT technology. Tele-education, facilitated by India’s first thematic satellite, EDUSAT, has significantly contributed to educational outreach, offering interactive educational delivery modes and expanding access to quality resources.

Satellite Meteorology has improved weather forecasting services in India through the INSAT/GSAT satellites, and the Satel- lite Aided Search and ISRO’s focus on research and development (R&D) plays a crucial role in advancing India’s space industry.

To meet the navigation requirements of civil aviation, ISRO and Airports Authority of India (AAI) implemented the GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) as a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) for the Indian airspace.

Disaster Management Support (DMS): ISRO’s DMS Programme monitors natural disasters like floods, cyclones, forest fires, earthquakes, and landslides. It has been instrumental in providing flood maps in real-time to relevant authorities and predicting cyclone tracks and landfalls. Forest fire observations are made using satellite data, and landslide information is furnished to the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority). Earthquake impacts are assessed using high-resolution satellite images. The DMS also develops early warning systems for floods and rainfall-triggered landslides.

ISRO’s remote sensing applications cover agriculture, forestry, water resources, glaciology, climate change, and oceanography. They conduct crop production forecasting and horticultural assessments. They also study groundwater storage, atmospheric sciences, cryosphere, and hydrosphere.

ISRO provides satellite-based near real-time information support to Central Ministries/Departments and State Ministries/Departments, prior to and after major natural disasters. In addition, ISRO also provides capacity building in the use of Space technology inputs in DMS. ISRO’s earth observation satellites like Oceansat-2, Resourcesat-2, Cartosat-2 and 2A and INSAT 3DR send real-time images to the ground station which has proved helpful in monitoring flood situations and assists during disaster management work.

Technological Advancements

VIKAS Engine. The VIKAS engine has been one of the most important developments for India’s space programme. Serving as a versatile liquid propulsion system, it plays a critical role in rockets like PSLV and GSLV, enabling precise satellite deployment and complex maneuvers. By mastering this engine, India achieved self-reliance in propulsion technology, bolstering its position in the global space industry. The success of the VIKAS engine showcases ISRO’s efficiency and cost-effectiveness in space missions, establishing India as a reliable partner for international collaborations which has now enabled many countries to trust India’s PSLV, GSLV rockets for launching their satellites.

Launchers

PSLV. India’s versatile Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has four variants, equipped with solid rocket strap-on motors and liquid stages. It has achieved a high success rate and is used for launching various types of payloads, including Earth Observation, Geo-stationary, and Navigation satellites. PSLV has launched both Indian and foreign satellites, including Chandrayaan-1 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft. Its recent launch was PSLV-C56, carrying DS-SAR satellite, on July 30, 2023.

GSLV. India’s GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) with indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage has successfully launched 2-tonne class communication satellites. GSLVF12/NVS-01 mission, launched on May 29, 2023, deployed the first of the second-generation satellites for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) services.

LVM3. The next-generation LVM3 launch vehicle can carry 4-tonne class communication satellites and 10-tonne class payloads to Low Earth Orbits (LEOs). It was used for the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the moon.