India's Space Journey: Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Society | Aditya Bhardwaj | TEDxMAIT

India's Space Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Future Ambitions

Key Concepts:

• Automatic Launch Sequence
• Telemetry
• Sounding Rockets
• Satellite Launch Vehicles (SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV, SSLV, HLV, NGLV)
• Communication Satellites (INSAT, GSAT)
• Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS, Resourcesat, Oceansat, Cartosat, RISAT)
• Navigation Satellites (IRNSS/NavIC)
• Space Exploration Satellites (Astrosat, XpoSat)
• Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ)
• Disaster Management (Bhuvan, ENVI-met)
• Gaganyaan Mission
• Bharatiya Antariksha Station (Indian Space Station)
• Vyommitra
• Quantum Communication

Launch Vehicle Operations

The video begins by describing the crucial moments before a rocket launch from Sriharikota. The onboard computer takes control, ensuring all systems are functioning correctly. Once pre-flight checks are complete, the automatic launch sequence initiates. The rocket engines ignite, generating millions of Newtons of thrust. As the launch vehicle ascends, multiple stages burn out. The first stage burns out around 60-70 km altitude. After crossing the Kármán line (100 km), the payload fairing separates because the atmosphere is no longer dense enough to harm the spacecraft. The upper stage propels the launch vehicle further until the satellite injection conditions are met. Throughout the trajectory, telemetry data from both the launch vehicle and the spacecraft are continuously transmitted to ground stations. This data is used to track the vehicle, monitor its health parameters, and develop applications.

Historical Overview

India's space journey began in a humble setting: a church in Thumba, a fishing village near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, used as a mission control. Launch vehicle components were transported on bicycles. This was made possible by the vision of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who initiated the Space Program in India. In 1962, the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was formed, followed by the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969. The first rocket launch was a Nike Apache rocket from Thumba Spaceport (TERLS). Thumba was selected due to its location on the magnetic equator, providing an initial push to the launch vehicle. In 1967, the indigenous Rohini 75 sounding rocket was launched.

Evolution of Launch Vehicles

The need to place satellites into orbit led to the development of Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV). In 1980, the SLV-3, a four-stage rocket with all solid-fueled stages, was developed. Key figures like Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Prof. Satish Dhawan were involved in this development. The Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) was developed to further augment the launch vehicle by taking the technology of strap-on boosters. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) program in 1994 significantly increased payload capacity from 30 kg (SLV-3) and 150 kg (ASLV) to 1.7 tons in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) further increased payload capacity to 2.2 tons. The PSLV was used for missions like Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission). Currently, the Human Launch Vehicle (HLV) is under development. The HLV is a human-rated launch vehicle with a crew escape module and triple redundancy in systems to ensure crew safety. The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) program was initiated for faster turnaround times and launching smaller satellites. Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology is also being developed. The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is planned to increase payload capacity to 30 tons to LEO and 10 tons to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Satellite Development

Alongside launch vehicle development, India has also focused on developing various types of satellites. Aryabhata, launched in 1975 using a Soviet rocket, was the first indigenous satellite. Bhaskara-1 was also launched using a Soviet rocket. In 1980, Rohini-1 became the first indigenous spacecraft launched by an indigenous rocket (SLV-3).

• Communication Satellites: Geostationary satellites like the INSAT and GSAT series are used for communication, ensuring a fixed position relative to the Earth.
• Remote Sensing Satellites: The IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) series, including Resourcesat, Oceansat, Cartosat, and RISAT, provide Earth observation data for meteorology, disaster management, and weather forecasting. Oceansat monitors ocean parameters like chlorophyll and sea surface temperature. Cartosat is used for cartographic mapping. RISAT is a radar imaging satellite that can image the Earth's surface regardless of cloud cover.
• Navigation Satellites: The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC, provides indigenous navigation capabilities.
• Space Exploration Satellites: Astrosat (launched in 2015) is used for studying deep space. XpoSat (launched in 2024) is used for finding the source of X-rays from deep space.

Applications of Space Technology

Data retrieved from satellites is used to develop various applications. These include communication technologies like 5G and AI, telemedicine, and tele-education. Space applications extend to agriculture, mineral mapping, and mining forecasting.

Example: Fisherman Story: A fisherman who struggled to find fish was provided with Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) coordinates by space scientists. This helped him locate areas with high fish concentrations. The NavIC system helps fishermen avoid crossing international waters. The Sagarmitra app provides alerts about PFZs and navigation assistance.

Disaster Management Applications:

• Bhuvan Portal: Used to analyze the extent of fires (e.g., California fires). It also monitors cyclones in real-time and tracks glacial changes.
• ENVI-met Portal: Provides 24x7 monitoring of events like the Mahakumbh Mela using RISAT imagery for crowd management.
• NDEM Portal: A single platform for disaster management database, listing national-level disasters like forest fires and earthquakes.
• Other applications include snow melt runoff prediction and flood warning systems.

Future Missions

India is looking beyond Earth with missions like the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), Chandrayaan series (including the planned Chandrayaan-4 for lunar sample return), and Aditya-L1 for studying the Sun. Future plans include the Gaganyaan mission to send the first Indian to orbit, requiring a crew module. India aims to have its own space station, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, by 2035 and an Indian on the Moon by 2040.

Advanced Technologies

Advanced technologies being developed include:

• Humanoids: Vyommitra, a humanoid, will assist the crew in the Gaganyaan mission.
• Quantum Communication: ISRO is focusing on quantum-secured communication between satellites and ground stations.
• Advanced Launch Vehicles: Development of launch vehicles with vertical takeoff and vertical landing capabilities.

Student Involvement

Students can contribute to the Indian space program by participating in competitions like the ISRO robotics challenge, building rovers and CubeSats, and utilizing ISRO portals like VEDAS (Visualization of Earth observation Data and Archival System) and MOSDAC (Meteorological & Oceanographic Satellite Data Archival Centre) to analyze data.

Conclusion

The video concludes by emphasizing that space technology is not just about reaching new frontiers but also about dreaming big, exploring the unknown, and helping society grow.