[American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA SPACE 2010 Conference & Exposition - Anaheim, California ()] AIAA SPACE 2010 Conference & Exposition - Economic and Performance

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

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Economic and Performance Analysis of Indian

Space Transportation Systems

Venkatesan Sundararajan Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Indian Space Program (ISP) is one of the largest civilian space programs in the world. ISP is rapidly evolving from a

primarily Earth Observation (EO) orientation to a full-fledged space exploitation that includes deep space exploration

missions and observatories, satellite navigational (PNT) system, oceanic and climate studies mission and a human

spaceflight program. From the beginning, ISP has been envisaged as a self-reliant and largely indigenous space program

catering to the socio-economic benefits of the citizens. The space transportation systems (STS) development, starting with

the first successful launcher, SLV-3 that placed a 35 kg Rohini satellite on July 18, 1980, is a critical component of the ISP

accounting for about 40% of the entire space budget. At present, India has two operational small/ medium satellite launch

systems, PSLV and GSLV for polar and geostationary orbits respectively. An up-rated PSLV-XL successfully launched

India‟s first deep space mission, Chandrayaan-1 Orbiter, to the lunar polar orbit on October 22, 2008. Two heavy lift

launchers, GSLV MK II and GSLV MK III are in development for achieving complete self-reliance in launch vehicles with

indigenous cryogenic, liquid and solid motor engines. An ambitious Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program utilizing scramjet and advanced materials is also under development. The recently initiated Indian Human Spaceflight (HSF) program

will rely on indigenous STS with a first HSF mission to low Earth orbit planned for 2016.

This paper presents an economic and performance analysis of current operational Indian space transportation systems and

those in development to gain insights on one of the world‟s largest civilian space programs with over $1 Billion in annual

budget.

I. INTRODUCTION

ndian space program envisages self-reliance and indigenous capability in all aspects of the national space endeavors. The

primary goal of the Indian Space Program (ISP) is to utilize space assets for the socio-economic benefits of the citizen and

aid in the assessment of the country‟s vast natural resources for sustainable development. Space transportation systems

(STS) form the backbone of the Indian space program in its quest for a leading role among the global space-faring nations.

The Indian Space program (ISP) started in February 1962 when the Department of atomic Energy, Government of India,

created the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) under the chairmanship of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai,

considered the Father of the ISP, to oversee all aspects of space research and development in the country. The founding

vision of the Indian Space Program (ISP), which still forms the guiding principle for ISRO, has been the exploitation of

space for Earth observation through self-reliant development in satellites, launch vehicles and civilian applications for the

triad of telecommunications, remote-sensing and meteorology. Development of national industrial capacity and technical

expertise, promotion of national space science and research and pursuit of scientific knowledge with international collaboration has been a direct result of that vision. Commercial economic benefits derived from ISP through sale of remote

sensing data to private sector and foreign governments, opportunities to launch small/ medium satellites and payloads for

foreign agencies and institutes have been a recent but growing trend.

Modern space age rocketry in India began with the launch of American Nike-Apache sounding rocket on 21st November

1963 from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) located on the west coast of India near the equator.

The first Indian designed and built Rohini sounding rocket, RH-75, made its maiden flight on November 20, 1967.

Subsequently, further Rohini series sounding rockets, RH-100 and RH-200 were built and launched with indigenously

developed cordite propellant. Now, ISRO has a family of sounding rockets ranging from RH-200 to RH-560, capable of

launching 10-100 kg payloads to an altitude of 60-560 km for carrying out scientific experiments in the disciplines of

meteorology, aeronomy, and x-ray astronomy. 1 Over 3,000 sounding rockets have been developed and launched by ISRO carrying a range of payloads including those from Indian Universities and foreign countries.

The Indian space program was institutionalized in November 1969 with the formation of Indian Space Research

Organization (ISRO). The Government of India constituted the Space Commission and established the Department of Space

(DOS) in June 1972 and brought ISRO under DOS in September 1972. Today, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC),

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AIAA SPACE 2010 Conference & Exposition 30 August - 2 September 2010, Anaheim, California

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of which TERLS is a part, is a major center of ISRO, where the design and development activities of satellite launch

vehicles and sounding rockets are carried out. VSSC also conducts research and development activities for STS associated

technologies such as launch vehicle design, propellants, solid propulsion technology, aerodynamics, aero structural and aero

thermal aspects, avionics, polymers and composites, guidance, control, and simulation, computer and information,

mechanical engineering, aerospace mechanisms, vehicle integration and testing, space ordnance, chemicals and materials. 2

II. EVOLUTION OF INDIAN SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES

The purpose of a sounding rocket is to carry the onboard instruments vertically till its propellants are exhausted. Having

mastered the art and science of these rockets, ISRO conceived its first satellite launch vehicle in order to be able to inject a

satellite at the predetermined altitude, orientation and velocity to reach the correct orbit.

India‟s first indigenous experimental space launch vehicle, SLV-3 was designed by ISRO as a 22 m, 17 t weight four-

stage launch vehicle, the motor cases of the first two stages were of special steel, the third and fourth stages used fiberglass

cases. The fourth also served as the apogee motor for the experimental satellite, APPLE. The first launch of SLV-3 on July

10, 1979 was a failure due to jammed valve in the second stage motor control system. The second launch of SLV-3 on July

18, 1980 was a success, placing the 35 kg ROHINI satellite into a 300x900 km elliptical orbit. This achievement heralded

the entry of India as the seventh space-faring nation with an indigenous space launch capability. Two more developmental

flights of SLV-3 were successfully undertaken on May 31, 1981 and on April 17, 1983.

In order to realize the increased payloads capacity necessary for launching scientific and application satellites, ISRO

started work on an augmented satellite launch vehicle (ASLV). The ASLV consisted of the SLV-3, with two strap-on motors to the first stage giving it a capability to launch 150 kg payloads to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO). While the first two ASLVs

were failures, the third and fourth ASLV rockets successfully placed stretched ROHINI satellites in orbit.

The expertise gained through the development of the first and second generation satellite launch vehicles, SLV-3 and

ASLV throughout the 1970s and 1980s provided ISRO with the associated design and manufacturing infrastructure as well

as the integrated space transportation facilities for providing smooth launch and post-launch services. 3 Building on these

experiences, ISRO successfully developed the now operational launch vehicles – PSLV and GSLV in the 1990s and 2000s.

ISRO is currently developing GSLV MK II with indigenous cryogenic engines and a larger and cost effective GSLV MK III

capable of launching 4t payloads into the geostationary orbits.

Figure 1: Evolution of Indian Space Launch Vehicles (Credit: ISRO)


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III. POLAR SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (PSLV)

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is India‟s first operational launch vehicle capable of placing 1,600 kg of

payload into a sun synchronous polar orbit (SSPO) and 1,500 – 2,000 kg of payload into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). In the standard configuration, PSLV measures 44.4 m in height, with a lift off mass of 295 t. PSLV has four stages

using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately. The first stage of PSLV, one of the largest solid propellant boosters in

the world, carries 139 t of propellant. A cluster of six strap-on boosters are attached to the first stage motor, four of which

are ignited on the ground and two are ignited in flight.

The standard configuration of PSLV consists of four stages: (a) large solid motor with 139 t propellant loading, (b) earth

storable liquid propellant main engine with 37 t propellant loading, (c) high performance solid propellant motor with

composite motor case in upper stage (d) final stage twin engines with 2.5 t liquid propellant loading. 4

Figure 2: Variant configurations of the PSLV (Credit: ISRO)

The PSLV project was initiated in 1982 to achieve indigenous capability in launching 1,000 kg Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites to polar sun-synchronous orbit. ISRO acquired the Viking rocket engine technology from French

Space Agency (CNES). ISRO‟s main space center, VSSC was the primary design, development and manufacturer of space

transportation systems with Indian industry participation. The first PSLV-D1 launch in 1993 was not successful due to

software implementation error. PSLV-D2 successfully launched the 804 kg IRS-P2 satellite on October 14, 1994.

PSLV has sixteen consecutive successful launches to its credit including the successful launch of India‟s first moon

mission, CHANDRAYAAN-1 spacecraft on October 22, 2008 by an up-rated variant configuration, PSLV-XL (PSLV-C14).

PSLV is also slated to launch India‟s first dedicated Astronomy satellite, ASTROSAT in 2011.

PSLV remains the workhorse launch vehicle of ISRO for launch of Earth observation, space science and

meteorology satellites to the polar, highly elliptical and geosynchronous transfer orbits for both Indian and foreign

customers. PSLV in its variant configuration and with dual launch adopter technology is capable of injecting multiple small and nano satellites into SSO along with two primary satellites in the 500-600 kg range on a single launch vehicle mission.

ISRO has developed several new technologies for PSLV such as engine gimbal control system for liquid propellant

engines, flex-nozzle control system for solid propellant rocket motors, digital autopilot, closed loop guidance with three-axis

guided injection employing a Redundant Strap down Inertial Navigation System (RESINS), and all digital avionics. 5


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IV. GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (GSLV)

ISRO initiated the design and development of a geostationary satellite launch vehicle in 1990, based on the experience

gained from the development and launch success of the operational PSLV rocket. Building upon the modules utilized in the PSLV stages and adding an upper cryogenic stage, the GSLV is designed to be able to put 2,000 – 2,500 kg

telecommunication satellites in the geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).

Having mastered the solid and liquid propellant motors technology, ISRO sought cryogenic engine technology from

USA, France and Japan for GSLV. While the United States and Japan refused such a deal due to commercial and

proliferation concerns, the French space agency‟s asking price on the technology transfer was exorbitant for ISRO‟s modest

budget. Russia initially agreed to supply both the cryogenic engines and transfer of technology but at the intervention of US

citing dual use technology restrictions and commercial inducements to the Russian space launch industry, it supplied ISRO

with seven cryogenic engines without technology transfer. The current GSLV rockets use cryogenic engines bought from

Russia. 6 ISRO is developing higher capacity indigenous cryogenic engines for use in the GSLV MK II rocket and the larger

and powerful GSLV MK III rocket capable of carrying satellites in the range of 4,000 – 5,000 kg to GTO.

The standard configuration of the GSLV, that is 49 m tall, 414 t launch mass, consists of three stages: solid, liquid and

cryogenic propulsion modules and four strap-ons each with 40 t of hypergolic liquid propellants (UH25 and N204). The first

two stages are derived from the highly reliable PSLV while the third stage is utilizing Russian supplied cryogenic engines.

The cryogenic stage used in GSLV is having a 7.5 t thrust with propellant loading of 12 t. The propellants are liquid oxygen

(LOX), which boils at –182°C, and liquid hydrogen (LH2), which boils at –253°C. The cryogenic engine has a very high

specific impulse (Isp) of 450 seconds as opposed to the 265s and 280s for the solid and earth storable liquid propulsions. 7

The first GSLV-D1 flight was successfully launched on April 18, 2001with the 1,530 kg telecommunication satellite,

GSAT-1. The sixth GSLV launch utilizing for the first time the indigenous cryogenic engine, on April 15, 2010 was a

failure. ISRO‟s Failure Analysis Committee has identified the loss of GSLV-D3 due to non-supply of liquid hydrogen to the

thrust chamber of the third stage main cryogenic engine. ISRO plans to launch a follow-on GSLV with an indigenous

cryogenic upper stage (CUS) by 2011 after further rigorous ground tests.8

Figure 3: GSLV Standard Configuration (Credit: ISRO)


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V. SPACE CAPSULE RECOVERY EXPERIMENTS

ISRO is executing a Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE) Program to develop and demonstrate capability to

recover an orbiting capsule back to earth and to carryout micro-gravity experiments in orbit. The recoverable space capsule

(SRE-1) weighing 550 kg was successfully launched onboard PSLV-C7 on January 10, 2007 with CARTOSAT-2, LAPAN-

TUBSAT and PEHUENSAT-1 as co-passengers. SRE-1 was placed in a circular polar orbit at an altitude of 635 KM from

Earth. The capsule was also successfully recovered from the Bay of Bengal after reentry from orbit on January 22, 2007.

The SRE-1 was covered with more than 350 insulating silica tiles, an advanced thermal protection system (TPS), which

were designed and manufactured indigenously. The SRE-1 tested a host of technologies in navigation, guidance and control systems, hypersonic aero-thermo dynamics, management of communication black-out, deceleration and flotation systems. 9

Figure 4: Schematic of the Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE) Mission (Credit: ISRO)

The SRE is a technological forerunner to India building a reusable launch vehicle (RLV). A follow on SRE-2 mission is

scheduled for launch in 2010-11 with instruments for conducting microgravity life science experiments in orbit. 10

VI. GSLV MK III DEVELOPMENT

ISRO is embarking on the development of a larger GSLV as a new launch vehicle in order to make India self sufficient

in launching heavier INSAT series telecommunication satellites. The launch vehicle is being developed for a multi-mission

capability for the geostationary transfer orbit, low earth orbit, polar and intermediate circular orbits. A new indigenous

cryogenic upper stage (CUS) with a propellant loading of 25t is being developed for the GSLV MK III.

GSLV-Mk III is designed to be a three stage vehicle that is 42.4 m in height with a lift off mass of 630 t. First stage

comprises of two identical S200 Large Solid Booster (LSB) with 200 t solid propellant, that are strapped on to the second

stage, the L110 re-startable core liquid stage of 110 t. The third stage is the C25 liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen

(LOX/LH2) cryogenic propellant stage. The stage has propellant tanks for storing a total of 25 t of LOX and LH2 and is

powered by a single cryogenic engine, working on gas generator cycle developing a nominal thrust of 200 kN with an

estimated vacuum specific impulse of 445 s. The payload fairing measures five meters in diameter and can accommodate a

payload volume of 100 cubic meters. 11 The first launch of GSLV MK III is expected to be in 2011-12. The payload fraction

(P/L) of Indian launch vehicles as measured by the mass of payload lifted to the liftoff mass of the rocket has been low due to reliance on core solid propellant stages. 12 Improvements in engine and motor stage design, propellant loading, high-

strength light weight materials and precision manufacturing are being addressed as part of the GSLV MK III development.


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VII. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT

Three advanced technology vehicle programs are being developed by ISRO to achieve higher efficiency at lower cost for

space transportation systems. There programs are (1) Semi-cryogenic engine (2) Air breathing propulsion (SCRAMJET) and

(3) Reusable launch vehicle (RLV).

(1) Semi-cryogenic Engine:

The objective of the program is to develop a high thrust engine producing 2000 kN (Vacuum) thrust with liquid

oxygen and kerosene propellant combination for the common liquid core in the advanced launch vehicle. It is

planned to be realized in the next five years. 13

(2) Air Breathing Propulsion:

Given that about 80% of the current liftoff weight of launch vehicles are for carrying propellants (fuel and oxygen), the development of an air breathing propulsion where only the fuel is carried by the launch vehicle and

the oxygen is taken from the surrounding air is crucial for lowering the cost of future advanced launch vehicles.

On March 3, 2010, ISRO conducted a successful flight testing of a sounding rocket weighing 3t, Advanced

Technology Vehicle (ATV-D01) that carried a passive scramjet engine combustor module in the required

hypersonic conditions of Mach 6 range and dynamic pressure of 80+35 kPa. Ignition of an active scramjet engine

is planned for in the next testing by another high-performance sounding rocket. Several hypersonic flight and

ground testing facilities are under construction in various leading research institutions. 14

Figure 5: Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV) Sub-systems (Credit: ISRO)

Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV) powered by a scramjet is being designed with a capability to take a payload of 200-400 kg up to an altitude of 800 km. It will be powered by a scramjet engine using hydrocarbon

fuel injected through a set of staggered struts. The unique ascent of the vehicle in a direct vertical profile makes it

an excellent platform for space research, best suited for the studies of upper atmospheric features and as a cost-

effective launce vehicle for Micro and Nano satellites, as they mature in their applications. 15

(3) Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV):

The RLV program is aimed at realizing the goal of two stage to orbit (TSTO) of future space transportation

systems with high reliability, low cost and operational flexibility. The first RLV-TD is conceived as a flying test

bed that is designed as a wing-body vehicle with aerodynamic control surfaces and about 1.5 t lift off mass. The

RLV-TD will be boosted to about Mach 6 using a solid booster. RLV-TD then performs a controlled descent


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through the atmospheric entry phase, terminal area energy management phase and followed by glide on to the sea

simulating the horizontal landing maneuvers. 16

Figure 6: Reusable Launch Vehicle – TD (Credit: ISRO)

VIII. HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT PROGRAM

The main objective of Indian Human Space Flight (HSF) program is to develop a fully autonomous manned space

vehicle to carry two crew to 300 km LEO and safe return to earth after mission duration of few orbits to two days extendable

up to seven days, rendezvous and docking capability with space station / orbital platform, emergency mission abort and crew

rescue provision during any phase of the mission from lift off to landing and provision for extra vehicular activity.17

The HSF program would be executed in two phases at an estimated total developmental cost of $2.5 – 3.0 billion,

including the launch vehicle modifications and additional ground segment infrastructure. In the first phase, for which

government funding has been approved, an unmanned flight would be launched in 2013-14 by the PSLV and GSLV rockets consisting of an unmanned crew capsule to test its environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) and launch-

escape system. The second stage, yet to be approved by the government, would be a two-man mission using GSLV rocket

with necessary modifications for human rating planned for launch during 2015-16. The various critical technologies envisaged by

ISRO for the realization of the Indian HSF program are depicted in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Critical Technologies for the Indian Human Spaceflight Program (Credit: ISRO)

The human-rated spacecraft will consist of the capsule capable of carrying a crew of three, with a 14-deg. cone, and a

service module containing five 414-newton (93-lb.-thrust) engines and a 3-4-kW power system drawing on two rectangular

solar arrays. The capsule will be protected from the heat of reentry by silicon ceramic tiles tested on the Space Recovery

Experiment (SRE) program. A new launch pad with the addition of an on-pad emergency crew escape system (CES) for

astronauts is to be built in Sriharikota island on India's eastern coast for the proposed 2015 HSF program.The crew module

will be recovered from sea, either in the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea.18


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IX. INDIAN SPACE LAUNCH FACILITIES

Indian space odyssey began with the commissioning of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR)

in 1962. Thumba, a small coastal village near the southern tip of India was selected as the launch site for sounding rockets.

Thumba is situated parallel to the magnetic equator (8.5°N, 76.9°E) and offers an excellent location for launching sub-

orbital rockets to study the Earth‟s upper atmosphere. Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch Station (TERLS) launched India‟s

first sounding rocket in November 1963 and the site has been used by many nations throughout its history, including the US

and Russia. Centaur, Nike Apache and Judi-Dart rockets were launched there through the 1960s, followed by the RH series

and other types indigenously designed and developed by India. Today, TERLS continues to be utilized by ISRO and Indian

Universities for launch of experimental and scientific sub-orbital sounding rocket missions.

Sriharikota island (175 square km with 50 km of coastline), located 17 km from the main land on the eastern coast of

India in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh was selected in 1969 for establishing India‟s space launch facility (SHAR) and has been operational since 1971. India‟s first successful SLV-3 rocket was launched from the first launch pad complex in

1980. It placed the ROHINI satellite in LEO. Since then, SLV-3, ASLV and PSLV rockets have been launched from this

pad and many PSLV launches still utilize the first launch pad.

The entire launch facility complex at the Sriharikota range (13.7°N, 80.2°E) has been renamed by ISRO as the Satish

Dhawan Space Center (SDSC-SHAR) in honor of one of its past Chairman. The various facilities at SDSC-SHAR include a

solid propellant production plant, a rocket motor static test facility, launch complexes for a variety of rockets, telemetry,

telecommand, tracking, data acquisition and processing facilities, and other support services.

Figure 8: Space Launch Facilities at SDSC-SHAR (Source: ISRO)

In order to accommodate increased launch frequency and for catering the larger and more powerful GSLV rockets, ISRO

built a second launch pad with a Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for vehicle build up on a Mobile Launch Pedestal

(MLP) and a fixed Umbilical Tower (UT ) for servicing and checkout of launch vehicles. The second launch pad was

commissioned in 2005 with the successful launch of PSLV-C6 and can launch the PSLV, GSLV and GSLV MK III rockets.

The Indian government has sanctioned the construction of a third launch pad at SDSC-SHAR with an orbital vehicle

preparation facility and an astronaut crew training center at a cost of Indian Rupees (`)1,000 Crores (about $225 Million)

for realizing the proposed Indian Human Spaceflight (HSF) missions with a first manned flight slated to begin from 2015-

16. The third launch pad can also support launch of ISRO‟s ambitious Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) missions and future

launch vehicles under research & development. 19


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X. INDIAN SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM – ECONOMICS

The Indian space budget for FY 2009-10 was about $1.0 Billion and the FY 2010-11 space budget is ` 5,778 Crores (about $1.285 Billion). 20 India‟s investment in space efforts translates to 0.06 to 0.08 percent of its annual GDP. Given the

importance of developing highly capable launch vehicles for self-reliance in access to space and to avoid the technology

denial regimes of political nature, about 35-40% of Indian space budget is allocated to space transportation systems.

Although the founding of the Indian Space Program and the development of indigenous sounding rockets enjoyed US

patronage, the Indian atomic program with strategic implications from 1974 and the MTCR regime from 1987 placed India

outside of any space launch technology transfer from established space-faring nations of Europe, Japan, Russia and United

States. The development of indigenous space transportation systems (STS) is a core objective of Indian Space Policy.

The development cost of India‟s first two generation satellite launch vehicles, SLV-3 and ASLV and related

infrastructure is estimated at ` 400 Crores during the period from 1970 to 1990. The development costs for the operational

PSLV is estimated at ` 2,500 Crores (about $620 Million) and that of the GSLV is estimated at about $735 Million. 21 The

breakdown of the FY2010-11 space transportation systems budget for ISRO is given below.


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ISRO is currently developing the indigenous cryogenic engine for the GSLV MK II and another powerful cryogenic

upper stage for the GSLV MK III that is capable of lifting 4,000 – 5,000 kg (INSAT class) payloads to GTO. The proposed

Indian Human Spaceflight (HSF) program necessitates a human rated version of the GSLV. India is exploring collaboration

with Russia in developing the design for the crew orbital vehicle based on the Soyuz capsule. An ambitious hypersonic

scramjet development and a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology development programs are also underway.

India and the United States signaling an almost full-circle in their space partnership signed a technology safeguards

agreement on July 28, 2009 to facilitate launch of non-commercial U.S. satellites and foreign satellites with US ITAR

components on Indian launch vehicles. 22 Enabled by this agreement, PSLV-C15 successfully launched an Algerian small

remote sensing satellite ALSAT-2A built by EADS-Astrium with US components along with the primary payload

CARTOSAT-2B high resolution Indian remote sensing satellite and three nano-satellites from foreign universities.

Indian space launch vehicles, PSLV and GSLV have matured over the past two decades and have enabled India to be

self-reliant in the launch of the nation‟s telecommunications and remote sensing series satellites. The workhorse launcher of

ISRO, PSLV has attracted commercial satellite launches from international customers for placing medium/ small/nano

satellites to the SSO based on their reliability and cost-effectiveness.

The launch costs and payload capacity to LEO of some of the global space launch vehicles are compared below. 23

While astronomy payloads were included in many Indian space application satellites, the increasingly powerful and

reliable space launch vehicles for the first time allows specific space science and planetary exploration missions possible.

ISRO has started an Indian Space Exploration Program (ISEP) that envisions dedicated space missions to explore the Moon,

inner planets and astronomy missions utilizing the rising capability of its space transportation systems.

The first Indian deep space mission, CHANDRAYAAN-1 spacecraft to the Moon was lofted atop PSLV-XL on October

22, 2008. The spacecraft carried eleven scientific instruments including six foreign payloads, two from NASA, three from

ESA and one from Bulgaria. Chandrayaan-1 instruments have discovered the presence of water molecules (H20 and OH) on

the surface of the moon. 24 On November 14, 2008 the spacecraft from its 100 km lunar polar orbit ejected the Indian Moon

Impact Probe (MIP) painted with an Indian flag that crash landed on the surface of the Moon‟s South Pole. MIP is

considered a forerunner for the next Moon mission CHANDARYAAN-2 with an Indian rover, scheduled to be launched by

a PSLV/ GSLV in 2013. A dedicated multi-wavelength astronomy satellite, ASTROSAT-1 is planned for launch by a PSLV

in 2011. ADITYA-1 satellite, the first Indian space based solar coronagraph will be launched by another PSLV in 2012.25

ISRO is also planning an Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), a constellation of seven satellites, three

in GEO and four in GSO orbit. IRNSS coverage will include the entire Indian sub-continent extending up to 1,500 KM .The

first IRNSS-1 satellite is planned for launch by a GSLV in 2011. 26


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XI. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

Indian Space Program (ISP) was founded on a vision of exploiting space capabilities for the socio-economic benefits of

the citizens. ISP achieves this primary mission through the Indian National Telecommunications Satellites (INSAT

series) and the Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS series) programs. These programs have provided the nation with one of the largest telecommunications satellite network in the Asia-Pacific region and the world‟s largest constellation

of civilian remote sensing satellites respectively.

The indigenous space launch vehicles in operation, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) along with the development of GSLV MK III provide India with a complete set of

medium-heavy launchers capable of meeting its space application program and in undertaking deep space missions.

The successful launch and subsequent remote-sensing from a lunar polar orbit of 100 KM by Chandrayaan-1, India‟s first deep space mission that led to the discovery of the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface, herald the

beginning of the Indian Space Exploration Program (ISEP). Follow-on Chandrayaan-2 rover mission to the Moon and

dedicated astronomy, solar coronagraph and weather and climate change study missions are scheduled to be launched

by Indian space launch vehicles. Once GSLV-MK III becomes operational, orbiter missions to Mars and Asteroids with

sizable scientific payloads are feasible and plans are already in design phase for planetary exploration.

Indian Human Spaceflight (HSF) program is currently in the design stage and is estimated to cost around $2.5- 3.0 Billion for the development of a fully autonomous space vehicle to carry a crew of two to 400 km LEO and their safe

return to the Earth. A PSLV rocket is planned to loft an unmanned crew orbital vehicle in 2013 as a forerunner to the

first human spaceflight to be conducted by 2015-16.

The hypersonic scramjet project got a fillip with the successful launch of an advanced sounding rocket (ATV-D01) on March 3, 2010 that carried a passive scramjet engine combustor module in the required hypersonic conditions of Mach

6 range and dynamic pressure of 80+35 kPa. Ignition of an active scramjet engine is planned for in the next testing by

another high-performance sounding rocket. India is also building several hypersonic ground testing facilities at various

research institutions. Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV-TD) is under development as a flying test bed and would be

launched vertically from a PSLV rocket. The SRE series missions are validating several technologies necessary for the

RLV and HSF program while serving as a space platform for conducting microgravity research and recovery from sea.

PSLV rocket in its various configurations is a proven and reliable rocket capable of launching payloads up to 1,600 kg to

the SSO and 1,000 kg to the GTO. The rocket‟s ability to inject multiple satellites in a single launch has allowed ISRO

to offer piggyback launch opportunities for several Indian and foreign academic research satellites. PSLV has also

launched medium sized remote sensing and scientific satellites for countries such as Algeria, Israel and Italy.

The current GSLV rocket utilizes the Russian supplied cryogenic upper stage (CUS). GSLV-D3, launched on April 15,

2010 with an indigenous cryogenic engine failed due to non-supply of liquid hydrogen to the third stage motor thrust

chamber but ISRO has identified the problem and plans to launch another GSLV within an year after further ground

testing. A successful demonstration of the integration the indigenous CUS by a GSLV rocket is crucial in ISRO‟s quest

for self-sufficiency in the launch for INSAT class satellites through GSLV MK III rocket development. The GSLV MK

III would form the basis for a human-rated launch vehicle of India.

Successful demonstration and operation of launchers with a motor stage using high-thrust semi-cryogenic propellant with

kerosene as fuel, expander cycle upper stage, hypersonic scramjet engines and RLV development are some of the space

transportation systems yet to be achieved along with a host of technologies necessary for developing a robust and

sustainable HSF program. Innovative in-space propulsion is another crucial area for mastery for deep space missions.

The growing Indian economy with robust industrial and technical capabilities of the nation in synchronization with the

scientific talents of the society provide ISRO an opportunity for fulfilling its original vision of utilizing space for

benefits to citizens and the new horizon of deep space exploration for knowledge quest in understanding the Universe.

Space transportation systems that provide independent access to space form a critical feature of the Indian Space

Program (ISP) that has withstood the sanctions regime over the past forty years. ISP is in the cusp of gaining its rightful

place among the space-faring nations of the world. The international cooperation with other space agencies exemplified

by the first Indian moon mission and its scientific discoveries brought forth the spirit of humanity for the benefit of all.


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