Jackson is an impact crater located in the northern hemisphere of the far side of the Moon. It is a 71 km dia crater at 22.4°N and 163.1°W (shown in the inset). The interesting feature at the western outer rim of Mach crater is another impact crater, Mitra (92 km dia). It is named after Prof. Sisir Kumar Mitra, who was an Indian physicist and Padma Bhushan recipient known for his pioneering work in the field of ionosphere and Radiophysics. The Korolev crater seen in the image is a 437 km crater which has several small craters of varying sizes. Sommerfeld is a large impact crater located in the farside northern latitudes of the Moon. It is a 169km dia crater at 65.2°N and 162.4°W. It has relatively flat interior surrounded by a ring mountain and a number of smaller craters lie along the rim edge. The crater is named after Dr. Arnold Sommerfeld who is a German physicist pioneered in the field of atomic and quantum physics. North east to this crater lies the Kirkwood crater named after the American astronomer Mr Daniel Kirkwood, another well-formed impact crater which is approximately 68 km dia.
Source: https://www.ISRO.gov.in/
India’s boldest Moon Mission, Chandrayaan-2 has relayed a second set of lunar surface images, unprecedented in their high resolution and close-up imagery. The images were captured by the Terrain Mapping Camera-2 (TMC-2) aboard the Mission’s Orbiter component. Releasing the images the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) informed that the visuals were captured on August 23 from an altitude of about 4,375 km. The images show lunar craters Jackson, Mach, Korolev and Mitra (in the name of Prof. Sisir Kumar Mitra). Jackson is an impact crater located in the northern hemisphere on the far side of the Moon. “It is a 71 km dia crater at 22.4°N and 163.1°W. The interesting feature at the western outer rim of Mach crater is another impact crater, Mitra (92 km dia),” ISRO informed. Prof. Sisir Kumar Mitra was an Indian physicist and Padma Bhushan recipient known for his pioneering work in the field of ionosphere and Radiophysics. The Korolev crater seen in the image is a 437 km crater, which combines several small craters of varying sizes. The TMC-2 camera also captured other important impact craters, Sommerfeld and Kirkwood. Sommerfeld is a large impact crater located in the farside northern latitudes of the Moon. “It is a 169km dia crater at 65.2°N and 162.4°W.” It has a relatively flat interior surrounded by a ring mountain and a number of smaller craters lie along the rim edge. The space agency said the crater is named after Dr. Arnold Sommerfeld, a German physicist pioneer in the field of atomic and quantum physics. Northeast to this crater lies the Kirkwood crater, named after the American astronomer Daniel Kirkwood. This too is a well-formed impact crater, which is approximately 68 km in diameter.
On August 21, Chandrayaan-2 had captured its first image of the lunar surface. The black and white image identifies two spots on the lunar surface: the Mare Orientale basic and Apollo craters. The first Moon shot was captured by the Mission’s Vikram Lander at a height of about 2,650 km from the lunar surface.
Source:https://www.deccanherald.com/
India successfully test-fired a Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) with 30-kilometre range from a test range off the Odisha coast. The missile successfully engaged its target during the flight test and met all the desired parameters. The missile was successfully flight tested against live aerial targets on August 4, 2019, from ITR, Chandipur. Two missiles have been tested against two live targets meeting complete mission objectives of engaging the targets. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile has a strike range of 25 km to 30 km. It uses solid-fuel propellant and has the capability of engaging multiple targets. Odisha: DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) today successfully flight tested Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) air defence system at Balasore flight test range. The systems have been tested in final configuration with RADAR mounted on a vehicle and missiles on the launcher. The missiles with many states of the art technologies have engaged the targets at different ranges and altitudes. The systems are equipped with indigenously developed phased array radar, Inertial Navigation System, Data Link and RF seeker. The system is being developed for the Indian Army with search and track on move capability with very short reaction time. The entire mission was captured by various Electro-Optical Tracking Systems, Radar Systems and Telemetry Systems at ITR Chandipur. The sophisticated all-weather missile was test-fired from launch pad-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur at around 11.05 a.m., said sources. The missile is equipped with electronic countermeasures against jamming by aircraft radars, sources added. (With agency inputs)
Source: Deccan Chronicle
Directed energy weapons or DEWs are among the next bunch of military technologies that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on, Organisation Chairman Dr G. Satheesh Reddy said. Laser-based or microwave-based high-power DEWs can quietly disable enemy drones or missiles temporarily or permanently without leaving physical debris. In contrast, the ASAT or anti-satellite missile that the DRDO tested on March 27 2019, killed an orbiting Indian target satellite and left hundreds of small pieces as debris for a few months. Dr. Reddy, who is Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, said DEWs would play a major role in future warfare. “DEWs are extremely important today. The world is moving towards them. In the country too, we are doing a lot of experiments. We have been working in this area for the past three to four years to develop 10-kW and 20-kW [weapons],” he said. Hyderabad hub The DRDO’s Hyderabad-based lab, Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) is the node for all related activities. Dr. Reddy said technology planning for the military should start at least 10-20 years in advance. “If we also have to be a technology leader we need to lay our futuristic technologies roadmap clearly, put a good amount of resources into it and also work towards those technologies. Otherwise we will remain just technology followers,” he said, delivering the 12th annual Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre memorial lecture. The talk was organised by the Air Force Association Karnataka in honour of the former air chief who also was the chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Apart from its current fighter plane projects — the LCA and advanced medium combat aircraft or AMCA — India would look at pilotless hardware such combat drones or UCAVs (unmanned combat air vehicles), as well as swarm drones that fly in tandem for surveillance, attack or intelligence gathering. Any UCAV programme could also use the Kaveri as its engine.
Source: The Hindu
Vijayawada: After five years of dithering, the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change has approved setting up a missile testing range in the Diviseema area of Krishna district. The area was set to undergo a facelift after it was announced that a missile testing facility would be set up at Gullalamoda near Nagayalanka. Although the area was considered conducive for testing missiles, the project could not progress owing to delay in environmental clearances. Now, with the green nod, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) can establish the missile testing facility. According to Mr Arja Srikanth, an IRS officer from Nagayalanka who has been pursuing the matter with the Centre, the project will bring about Rs 1,000 crore worth of investment. The facility could lead to large-scale infrastructural development in the area. Ancillary and manufacturing units will also probably be set up. The 22-km long Karakatta road from Nagayalanka to Koduru along the coast has already been identified as alternate route by the DRDO. Srikanth said this will strengthen the area’s potential to become a major tourist attraction. 4 DRDO had identified Nagayalanka and Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu as best suited locations for establishing missile testing facilities. As Kalpakkam already has an atomic power plant, the DRDO had finalised Nagayalanka for the missile test facility. Nagayalanka will become the second missile testing facility in India after Balasore in Odisha. Sources said that long-range missiles can be test-fired from Nagayalanka. Missiles with more than 5,000-km-range can also be test-fired from here. Diviseema, located on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, is, identified as an ecologically sensitive area. The land where the missile testing facility is to be established falls in the notified forest area. The state government had sent the proposal to environment and forest ministry for approval in September 2014. The ministry had given its in-principle approval in 2017 and it took two more years to give stage-II and final nod. Dr G Satish Reddy, chairman of DRDO, cleared all issues raised by the ministry to ensure environmental and wildlife protection. The environmental ministry has set 20 conditions to be fulfilled to establish the facility. The conditions, include compensatory reforestation measures and precautionary measures to protect wildlife.
Source: The Times of India
Bhubaneswar: India is now ready with its indigenously developed Anti-terrorist Vehicles (ATV) that can withstand any kind of attacks during anti-terrorist operations in cities. Developed by Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the ATV can carry three combatants equipped for operations. The vehicle, weighing around three tonnes provides all-round protection from small arms and hand grenades. It can move around in a hostile environment especially in buildings, small gullies and constrained spaces of hideouts providing an edge to thwart attacks. The DRDO has urged Indian Industries to submit proposals for Transfer of Technology (ToT). Industries interested for the technology will scale up production of the ATVs. A senior official of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the ATV has been trial evaluated by the users and is ready for production. “Though the ATV technology is now available for three versions – tracked, wheeled and low-noise electric, the proposals have been sought for the tracked vehicle and DRDO has five licenses to offer to industries,” he informed. The armoured vehicle was conceptualised in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack. After years of research, the Ahmednagar-based VRDE has developed the agile, compact with weight and dimensional profile and highly manoeuvrable armoured vehicle adequately protected for a hostile environment. The ATV has situational awareness provision and six firing ports. A top hatch in the vehicle helps security personnel to exit in an emergency. The vehicle can be employed in the corridors of hostile terrains where it is difficult to operate in a normal wheeled vehicle. “The armoured vehicle has a very low turning circle diameter, which enables it to turn around itself within a limited space. It has all-round ballistic and blast protection, better firing capability and is equipped with varied requirements to carry out the counter-insurgency operation in urban areas,” the official added. The tracked version of ATV has already been tested ballistically and has also undergone a series of successful grenade trials. Compact vehicle · Can accommodate 3 combatants · 360 degrees revolving · Can move on tracked as well as on tyre · All round armour and bullet proof glass protection · Blast protection · Can climb step of 7” height
Source: The Indian Express
Mr Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Defence, paid a maiden visit to HAL facilities here today. He was received by Mr R Madhavan, CMD and senior officials of HAL at the Helicopter Complex. The officials accompanied him during his visit to LCA Tejas Division, Rotary Wing R&D Centre, LCH, IMRH and LUH hangars. The Minister was briefed on current developments, future proposals and projects of the Company. “We are proud to see the work done by HAL in manufacturing of helicopter and other fixed wing aircraft. We should make more efforts to be self-sufficient in the field”, said Mr Naik.
Source:https://hal-india.co.in/
New Delhi: In possibly the first sale of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to another country, Thailand is in talks with India for their purchase, official sources said. A few other countries have also expressed interest in BrahMos but nothing has fructified yet. “Negotiations are on. It may not happen this year, but most likely next year,” diplomatic sources said. While Thailand expressed interest in the missiles some time back, discussions picked pace after the visit of Royal Thai Navy Chief Admiral Ruddit to India in December last year. As part of the expanding defence cooperation between the two countries, Thailand has made a request for repair and refurbishing their Dornier maritime patrol aircraft. “A joint team of Indian Navy, Bharat Electronics Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited visited Thailand in mid-June to discuss the issue,” a defence source said. In addition, Thailand Navy is looking to increase its capabilities and planning to induct more ships, defence sources said. In line with that, Indian Navy is exploring opportunities wherein India could help in ship design and has even “offered ship construction at the various defence public sector undertaking shipyards.” “The Indian Navy’s foreign cooperation initiatives include highlighting the capability of various Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Indian defence industry to friendly foreign navies,” the defence source stated. Discussions are on to integrate Thailand into India’s coastal surveillance radar chain network which sources is “likely to be finalised by year end.” Several littoral states including Maldives and Seychelles have already been integrated into it. Trilateral exercise – The inaugural India, Thailand and Singapore trilateral naval exercise announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at Shangri-La dialogue in June 2018 is scheduled to be held later this year. Finalising the exercise got delayed and it got a push during the visit of Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba to Thailand in April. “India will host the first edition of the exercise in September this year,” diplomatic sources said adding Singapore will host the second edition and Thailand the third. The Initial Planning Conference to discuss the modalities of the exercise was held in May and the Final Planning Conference to finalise the details is scheduled to be held in August, officials said. Malaysia has also evinced interest in joining the exercise. The two navies already conduct a Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and a new bilateral exercise is also in the works apart from the trilateral. As members of the Indian Ocean rim association (IORA) and Indian Ocean Naval symposium (IONS), navies of India and Thailand are working closely in the areas of disaster risk management, maritime security safety, information sharing and interoperability.
Source: The Hindu
Staring at a depleting order book, defence PUS Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) negotiating price for the 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas aircraft order is likely to agree to a price that is significantly lower than its quotation. According to sources privy to the negotiations, HAL quoted Rs 450 crore per aircraft as the basic price. “MoD and IAF (customers) are firm that this price is not competitive and are negotiating for a price that is less than Rs 300 crore per aircraft. Negotiations are nearly complete and final price is likely to be in the range of Rs 250 crore and Rs 275 crore,” a source said. If the price is Rs 275 crore, then the value of 83 LCAs would be about Rs 22,825 crore compared to Rs 37,350 crore if it was Rs 450 crore. This value would be excluding maintenance and other aspects of the overall deal. It’s noteworthy that former defence minister Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman had pegged the total value of LCA order at Rs 50,000 crore in January. “HAL really has no choice. If we need to sustain our production lines and the employees, we need fresh orders, and this is one of the bigger orders which will go on for at least five years,” a source said. At present HAL has orders worth only Rs 45,000 crore, with a major concern brewing in its plant in Nasik, which has orders to sustain only until March 2020. According to MoD, HAL has orders for 48 fixed wing aircraft—only 12 of these for Nasik plant—67 helicopters, 80 engines and 26 sets of rocket structures placed by ISRO (See graphic). One source claimed: “The Gripen, which has features similar to LCA, was costing less than Rs 300 crore per plane and that HAL must become competitive and be able to offer similar price.” Gripen is manufactured by Swedish firm SAAB. Another source said that this would benefit HAL in the long run to increase efficiency to reduce costs. Eventually, the aim is to export LCAs and HAL has already expressed an interest in supplying them to Malaysia. If it wants to export, it needs to price aircraft in the same range as others. “Why would anybody pay Rs 450 crore for Tejas if they can buy Gripens for cheaper,” the source argued, adding: “Also, HAL quoted 2.5 lakh man hours to build one aircraft and the customers want it to be 1.5 lakh hours,” a source said.
Source: The Times of India
India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV MkIII-M1, successfully launched the 3840 kg Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft into an earth orbit today (July 22, 2019). The spacecraft is now revolving round the earth with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 169.7 km and an apogee (farthest point to Earth) of 45,475 km. Today’s flight marks the first operational flight of the GSLV Mk III. After a smooth countdown lasting 20 hours, GSLV MkIII-M1 vehicle majestically lifted off from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota at the scheduled launch time of 1443Hrs (2:43 pm) Indian Standard Time (IST) with the ignition of its two S200 solid strap-on motors. All the subsequent flight events occurred as scheduled. About 16 minutes 14 seconds after lift-off, the vehicle injected Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft into an elliptical earth orbit. Immediately after spacecraft separation from the vehicle, the solar array of the spacecraft automatically got deployed and ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Bengaluru successfully took control of the spacecraft. ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan congratulated the launch vehicle and satellite teams involved in this challenging mission. “Today is a historical day for Space Science and Technology in India. I am extremely happy to announce that GSLV MkIII-M1 successfully injected Chandrayaan-2 into an orbit of 6000 Km more than the intended orbit and is better.” “Today is the beginning of the historical journey of India towards Moon and to land at a place near south pole to carry out scientific experiments to explore the unexplored. On July 15, 2019 ISRO intelligently observed a technical snag, Team ISRO worked out, fixed and corrected the snag within 24 hours. For the next one and a half day, the required tests were conducted to ensure that corrections made were proper and in right direction. Today ISRO bounced back with flying colours.” Dr. Sivan said. In the coming days, a series of orbit manoeuvres will be carried out using Chandrayaan-2’s onboard propulsion system. This will raise the spacecraft orbit in steps and then place it in the Lunar Transfer Trajectory to enable the spacecraft to travel to the vicinity of the Moon.
GSLV Mk III is a three-stage launch vehicle developed by ISRO. The vehicle has two solid strap-ons, a core liquid booster and a cryogenic upper stage. The vehicle is designed to carry 4 ton class of satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) or about 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second mission to the moon. It comprises a fully indigenous Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan). The Rover Pragyan is housed inside Vikram lander. The mission objective of Chandrayaan-2 is to develop and demonstrate the key technologies for end-to-end lunar mission capability, including soft-landing and roving on the lunar surface. On the science front, this mission aims to further expand our knowledge about the Moon through a detailed study of its topography, mineralogy, surface chemical composition, thermo-physical characteristics and atmosphere leading to a better understanding of the origin and evolution of the Moon. After leaving earth orbit and on entering Moon’s sphere of influence, the on-board propulsion system of Chandrayaan-2 will be fired to slow down the spacecraft. This will enable it to be captured into a preliminary orbit around the Moon. Later, through a set of manoeuvres, the orbit of Chandrayaan-2 around the moon will be circularised at 100 km height from the lunar surface. Subsequently, the lander will separate from the Orbiter and enters into a 100 km X 30 km orbit around the Moon. Then, it will perform a series of complex braking manoeuvres to soft land in the South Polar Region of the Moon on September 7, 2019. Following this, the Rover will roll out from the lander and carries out experiments on the lunar surface for a period of 1 lunar day, which is equal to 14 Earth days. The mission life of the lander is also 1 lunar day.The Orbiter will continue its mission for a duration of one year. The orbiter had a lift-off weight of about 2,369 kg, while the lander and rover weighed 1,477 kg and 26 kg respectively. The rover can travel up to 500 m (half a kilometre) and relies on electric power generated by its solar panel for functioning. Chandrayaan-2 has several science payloads to facilitate a more detailed understanding of the origin and evolution of the Moon. The Orbiter carries eight payloads, the lander carries three, and the rover carries two. Besides, a passive experiment is included on the lander.The Orbiter payloads will conduct remote-sensing observations from a 100 km orbit while the Lander and Rover payloads will perform in-situ measurements near the landing site. The ground facilities constitute the third vital element of Chandrayaan-2mission. They perform the important task of receiving the health information as well as the scientific data from the spacecraft. They also transmit the radio commands to the spacecraft. The Ground Segment of Chandrayaan-2 consists of Indian Deep Space Network, Spacecraft Control Centre and Indian Space Science Data Centre. Today’s successful launch of Chandrayaan-2 is a significant milestone in this challenging mission. A total number of 7500 visitors witnessed the launch live from the Viewer’s Gallery at Sriharikota.
Source: https://www.ISRO.gov.in/