Annual Report 2015 - 2016 Citizens’ Charter Of Department Of Space Department of Space (DOS) has the primary responsibility of promoting the development of space science, technology and applications towards achieving self-reliance and facilitating in all round development of the nation. With this basic objective, DOS has evolved the following programmes: • Indian National Satellite (INSAT) programme for telecommunication, television broadcasting, meteorology, developmental education, societal applications such as telemedicine, tele-education, tele-advisories and similar such services • Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite programme for management of natural resources and various developmental projects across the country using space based imagery • Indigenous capability for design and development of satellite and associated technologies for communications, navigation, remote sensing and space sciences • Design and development of launch vehicles for access to space and orbiting INSAT/GSAT, IRS and IRNSS satellites and space science missions • Research and development in space sciences and technologies as well as application programmes for national development The Department of Space is committed to: • Carrying out research and development in satellite and launch vehicle technology with a goal to achieve total self reliance • Provide national space infrastructure for telecommunications and broadcasting needs of the country • Provide satellite services required for weather forecasting, monitoring, etc. • Provide satellite imagery required for the natural resources survey, management of natural disasters, public good services and monitoring of environment in the country • Provide satellite imagery and specific products and services required for the application of space science and technology for developmental purposes through Central Government, State Governments, Quasi Governmental Organisations, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and the private sectors • Undertake proof of concept demonstration of space applications • Promote research in space sciences and development of applications programmes as per national needs While implementing the above objectives, the Department of Space will: • Provide the required satellite transponders and facilities to meet the communications, television broadcasting and security requirements of our country • Provide adequate earth observation capability in various spectral, spatial and temporal domains • Provide launch services to meet national requirements and commercial needs • Provide its products and services in a prompt and efficient manner to all the users/clients Contents Mission Profile 4 Highlights 5 Organisation 11 Communication and Navigation Satellite System 24 Earth Observation System 31 Space Applications 43 Space Transportation System 76 Space Sciences and Planetary Research 84 Sponsored Research 97 Indian Space Industry 101 Space Commerce 109 Systems Reliability and Safety 111 Human Resources 115 International Cooperation 126 ‘Space’ In Parliament 130 Space Programme Publicity 131 Right to Information 133 Audit Observations 134 Milestones 138 Acronyms 145 SPACE MISSIONS 2012 -2017 MISSIONS 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 EARTH RESOURCESAT-2A RISAT-1 OBSERVATION SCATSAT SATELLITES SARAL INSAT-3DR IRNSS-1E IRNSS-1B GSAT-9 IRNSS-1A COMMUNICATION & IRNSS-1F GSAT– 19 E IRNSS-1C NAVIGATION GSAT-14 SATELLITES IRNSS-1G GSAT-11 IRNSS-1D GSAT INSAT-3D GSAT-6 -18 Procured Launch Service GSAT-10 GSAT GSAT-15 GSAT GSAT-7 -16 -17 SPACE SCIENCE & PLANETARY EXPLORATION Mars ASTROSAT Orbiter SATELLITES TECHNOLOGY RLV-TD DEVELOPMENT CARE LAUNCH VEHICLES Mk III- D1 C21 C20 C19 C22 C25 D5 C24 C23 C26C27 C28C29 C30C31C32 C33 D6 C37 C38 F05 F09 Commercial C36 Mk III-X Commercial Commercial Commercial HEX-01 PSLV GSLV GSLV-MkIII Highlights The year 2015 witnessed many significant achievements of the Indian Space programme which caught the attention of the country as well as the outside world. With the successful completion of the intended six month period by Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in its orbit around Planet Mars, India became the first country to achieve total success in its maiden attempt to explore Mars. Besides, the second consecutively successful launch of GSLV-MkII carrying the indigeneous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) underscored ISRO’s capability in cryogenic rocket propulsion. The year also saw the launch of India’s multi wavelength Space Observatory ASTROSAT and its successful operationalisation. Additionally, launch of IRNSS-1D and IRNSS-1E - the fourth and fifth satellites of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) - by PSLV-C27 and PSLV-C31 respectively into the required sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (sub-GTO), also occurred during the year 2015-16. The year also witnessed the launch of India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-15 carrying communication transponders and GAGAN payload. And, the launch by the workhorse PSLV of 17 foreign satellites, 11 of them in two dedicated commercial PSLV missions, is yet another highlight of the Indian space programme during the reporting period. The significant events of the Indian space programme during 2015-16 in chronological order are: • On March 24, 2015, India’s Mars Orbiter Spacecraft, which had earlier successfully entered into the scheduled orbit around planet Mars, completed the intended six month period in Mars orbit. As of February 2016 end, the spacecraft had completed seventeen months of operation in Mars orbit. • IRNSS-1D, the fourth of the seven satellites constituting the IRNSS Constellation, was successfully launched by PSLV-C27 into a sub GTO on March 28, 2015. It was the 29th launch of PSLV as well as its 28th consecutively successful mission. IRNSS constellation will enable introduction of satellite based position, timing and velocity services to a spectrum of users in the country and to the neighbouring regions. • PSLV-C28, the 30th flight of PSLV, was conducted on July 10, 2015, in which the vehicle placed United Kingdom’s three DMC3 satellites, each weighing 447 kg, along with two auxiliary payloads, also from United Kingdom, into the required Sun Synchronous Orbit of 647 km height. • GSLV-D6, the ninth flight of GSLV as well as the third flight of GSLV carrying indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), conducted on August 27, 2015, successfully launched 2117 kg GSAT-6 communication satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). It was the second consecutive success for GSLV carrying indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage (GSLV-MkII). • ASTROSAT, India’s first multi wavelength astronomy mission, was successfully launched by PSLV-C30 along with six co-passenger satellites from abroad, into a 650 km orbit of 6 deg inclination on September 28, 2015. 5 • GSAT-15, India’s latest communication satellite carrying communication transponders as well as GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload was launched into GTO by the European Ariane-5 from Kourou, French Guiana on November 11, 2015. • PSLV-C29, the thirty second flight of PSLV carrying six customer satellites from abroad including the 400 kg TeLEOS-1 of Singapore, successfully placed them in an orbit of 550 km height on December 16, 2015. This was the thirty first consecutive success of PSLV. • IRNSS-1E, fifth of the seven satellites constituting IRNSS Constellation, was successfully launched on-board PSLV-C31 on January 20, 2016 into a sub Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub GTO). By February 2016 end, ISRO had a constellation of several commercial Communication satellites, exclusive Meteorological satellites, Earth Observation satellites, Navigation Satellites, a multi wavelength astronomical observatory and a spacecraft orbiting planet Mars. Launch Vehicle Programme During the year under review, ISRO's workhorse Launch Vehicle PSLV, in its 'XL" version, placed two Navigation Satellites IRNSS-1D and 1E in the required sub Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits in two separate flights - PSLV-C27 and PSLV-C31. Besides, the ‘XL’ version of PSLV launched five satellites from United Kingdom successfully into a 647 km Sun Synchronous Orbit in its 30th flight (PSLV-C28). PSLV-XL also launched India’s first multi-wavelength space observatory ASTROSAT along with six customer satellites from abroad, in its thirty first flight (PSLV-30). In its ‘Core Alone’ version, PSLV placed six satellites from Singapore including the 400 kg Satellite TeLeos-1 into a 550 km Orbit, further proving its reliability and versatility. Another prominent development in the Indian launch vehicle programme was the second consecutively successful flight (GSLV-D6) of GSLV-MkII on August 27, 2015, which was equipped with indigenous cryogenic upper stage. This flight further highlighted ISRO’s strength in cryogenic propulsion technologies. Activities pertaining to LVM3 (GSLV-MkIII) launch vehicle, capable of launching four ton satellites into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), progressed well during the year with the successful ground test of its S200 booster to validate the changes in its head end segment as well as the flight and the extended duration hot (ground) tests of CE-20 cryogenic engine of its third stage. This apart, research and development activities in semi-cryogenic propulsion engine, air breathing propulsion and re-usable launch vehicle technology are also being pursued in earnest in an effort towards reducing the cost of access to space. Development of critical technologies for undertaking human spaceflight has also made additional progress. 6 Satellite