Space Missions – UPSC Post-Independence Notes

Space missions represent humanity’s quest to explore the final frontier, venturing beyond the confines of Earth to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos. These ambitious endeavors, undertaken by space agencies and private companies alike, propel us into the vast expanse of outer space, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge and technological capabilities. From pioneering missions that launched the first humans into orbit to cutting-edge endeavors aimed at probing distant planets and galaxies, each space mission stands as a testament to human ingenuity, curiosity, and the relentless pursuit of discovery. Whether exploring nearby celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars or delving into the depths of the universe, space missions inspire awe, spark innovation, and hold the promise of unraveling the secrets of our cosmic existence.

Space mission of India after 2014 

India has launched several successful space missions since 2014, including:

• Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM): India’s first interplanetary mission, MOM was launched in 2013 and successfully entered Mars orbit in 2014. It is still operational today and is providing valuable data about the Red Planet.
• Chandrayaan-2: India’s second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2 was launched in 2019. The orbiter successfully entered lunar orbit, but the lander Vikram crashed on the surface during its descent. India is currently planning to launch a follow-up mission, Chandrayaan-3, in 2023.
• Gaganyaan: India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan is scheduled to launch in 2023. Three Indian astronauts will be sent into orbit for seven days.
• Aditya-L1: India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1 is scheduled to launch in 2023. It will be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point L1, where it will study the Sun and its corona.
• Venus Orbiter Mission: India is also planning to launch a Venus orbiter mission in the next few years. This mission will study the Venusian atmosphere and climate, as well as its surface geology.

In addition to these major missions, India has also launched several smaller satellite missions in recent years. These missions have included navigation satellites, Earth observation satellites, and communication satellites.

India’s space program has made significant progress in recent years. The country is now one of the leading spacefaring nations in the world. India’s space missions are not only advancing scientific knowledge but are also helping to boost the country’s economy and technological capabilities.

India’s involvement in space missions and scientific endeavours reflects the nation’s commitment to technological advancement and scientific research.

Project NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis):

• Purpose: NETRA serves as an early warning system in space to detect potential hazards, including debris and other objects that could threaten Indian satellites.
• Significance: It provides India with the capability for space situational awareness (SSA), allowing the prediction of threats to Indian satellites.
• Potential Applications: NETRA can also serve as an implicit warning system against missile or space attacks, contributing to national security.
• Components: The project includes multiple observational facilities such as connected radars, telescopes, data processing units, and a control centre.
• Geostationary Orbit: NETRA aims to monitor and secure the geostationary orbit (GEO) at an altitude of 36,000 km, where communication satellites operate.

LIGO-India (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory India):

• Location: LIGO-India is located in Hingoli district, Maharashtra.
• Observatories: LIGO facilities consist of pairs of huge interferometers, each with two 4 km-long arms.
• Gravitational Waves: LIGO is designed to detect gravitational waves, which are ripples in spacetime caused by massive cosmic events, such as the collision of black holes or neutron stars.
• Multi-Detector System: A single LIGO detector cannot reliably identify gravitational waves due to the weakness of the signal. Multiple detectors are needed for verification.
• Global Network: LIGO-India will become the fifth observatory in the world to join the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory network. The existing observatories are located in the USA, Italy, and Japan.

These projects highlight India’s contribution to cutting-edge research in space technology and astrophysics, enhancing its capabilities in space monitoring and scientific exploration.

The Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO) and the Aditya-L1 satellite are significant projects in the field of astrophysics and space research:

1. Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO):
   • Location: Located at Pottipuram village in Theni district near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.
   • Nature: An underground project, will consist of a complex of caverns.
   • Collaborative Effort: INO is a joint initiative between the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, the Department of Atomic Energy, and the Department of Science and Technology.
   • Neutrino Detection: The observatory is primarily focused on the study of atmospheric neutrinos, as it is not equipped to detect solar neutrinos due to their lower energy levels.
   • Latitude Advantage: Its location at a latitude of about 8 degrees in South India allows for comprehensive studies of neutrinos from various celestial sources, including those passing through the Earth’s core.
   • Historical Context: The Kolar Gold Field mines once housed a laboratory for neutrino research at a depth of 2,000 meters. This was where the first atmospheric neutrinos were detected in 1965.
2. Aditya-L1 Satellite:
   • Orbit: Aditya-L1 is inserted into a halo orbit around the first Lagrangian point (L1), situated approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth.
   • Research Objectives:
     • Solar Corona: The satellite’s primary mission is to study the solar corona, which exhibits extremely high temperatures exceeding a million degrees Kelvin.
     • Chromosphere: It will also research the sun’s chromosphere, a lower layer of the solar atmosphere.
     • Particle Flux: Aditya-L1 aims to analyze the particle flux emanating from the sun, providing crucial data for solar physics.

Both INO and Aditya-L1 represent India’s commitment to advancing scientific understanding in the realms of particle physics and solar astrophysics. These projects contribute significantly to the global scientific community’s knowledge of neutrinos and solar phenomena.

1. GISAT-1:
   • Objective: To provide near real-time observation of the Indian sub-continent under cloud-free conditions, facilitating applications in agriculture, forestry, and disaster management. It also aids armed forces in planning operations.
2. GSAT-11:
   • Notable Feature: It is the heaviest satellite built by ISRO, weighing about 5854 kg. Launched by Ariane-5.
3. RISAT-2B:
   • Objective: Intended to provide services to agriculture, forestry, and disaster management domains through its advanced radar imaging capabilities.
4. Chandrayaan-2:
   • Objective: A highly complex mission representing a significant technological leap compared to previous missions. It aims to explore the south pole of the Moon, studying the exosphere, surface, and sub-surface in a single mission. The mission includes an Orbiter, Lander, and Rover.
5. Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission):
   • Objective: India’s first interplanetary mission. It made India the fourth space agency in the world to reach Mars and the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit on its maiden attempt. The mission aims to study Mars’ surface features, morphology, mineralogy, and atmosphere.

Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT):

• Location Dispute: India, part of the TMT joint venture, has expressed its desire to relocate the project from its proposed site on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. This dormant volcano is considered sacred by indigenous Hawaiians, and there are concerns about the number of observatories already present in the area.
• Joint Venture: TMT is a collaborative effort involving five countries, and it represents one of the world’s largest telescopes.
• Scientific Significance: Once operational, TMT will significantly enhance scientists’ ability to study faint celestial objects, providing insights into the early stages of the universe’s evolution. It will also offer finer details about objects within our Solar System and planets orbiting other stars.

Indian Data Relay Satellite System:

• Purpose: This system is designed to track, transmit, and receive data from various Indian satellites, particularly those in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with limited earth coverage.
• Advanced Missions: It will be instrumental in advanced missions such as space docking, space stations, and distant space expeditions. The first beneficiaries will likely be the crew members of the Gaganyaan mission.

Gaganyaan:

• Mission Overview: The Gaganyaan mission involves sending three flights into orbit. This includes two unmanned flights and one manned spaceflight.
• Crew: The human spaceflight module, called the Orbital Module, will carry three Indian astronauts, including one woman. They will orbit Earth at a low-earth-orbit altitude of 300-400 km for 5-7 days.
• Payload Components: The payload consists of the Crew Module (carrying the astronauts) and the Service Module (powered by two liquid-propellant engines). It will be equipped with emergency escape and mission abort systems.
• Launch Vehicle: The GSLV Mk III, also known as the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), will be used for the Gaganyaan mission due to its payload capabilities.

PSLV-C45:

Launch Overview:

• ISRO’s PSLV-C45 rocket successfully launched, carrying a combination of Indian and international satellites into space.

Unique Features:

1. Three Different Orbits: This launch marked the first time ISRO deployed a rocket that placed satellites into three different orbits, showcasing a new level of technological capability.
2. Fourth Stage Utilization: Unlike the standard practice of discarding the fourth stage of a rocket after payload deployment, in this mission, the fourth stage operated as a satellite for a period, contributing to the mission objectives.
3. Strap-On Motors: The rocket featured four extra-large strap-on motors. These are booster rockets attached externally to the main rocket. They provided additional thrust equivalent to six motors while reducing overall weight.

Significance:

• The achievement of placing satellites in three different orbits demonstrates ISRO’s technological advancement. It showcased the potential for reusing fourth-stage engines and extending the lifespan of guidance and navigation systems.
• This capability allows ISRO to efficiently deploy future rockets carrying multiple satellites into diverse and precise orbits, a task that previously required multiple missions.

Purpose and Experiments:

• The fourth stage carried various instruments for conducting measurements and experiments. It included a solar panel for power generation and communication with ground stations.

1. Message Capture: One instrument was designed to capture messages transmitted from ships.
2. Amateur Radio Operators: Another instrument provided data for amateur radio operators, assisting in tracking and monitoring positions.
3. Ionosphere Study: The third instrument focused on studying the structure and composition of the ionosphere.

This multi-orbit capability and experimental equipment in the fourth stage open up new avenues for ISRO in terms of satellite deployment and scientific research.

Indian Space Policy 2023

Overview:

The Indian Space Policy 2023 serves as a comprehensive and adaptable framework aimed at realizing the space reform objectives of the Government of India. It builds upon the reforms initiated in 2020, which opened avenues for private sector participation and ensured a level playing field.

Key Statistics:

1. Global Space Economy: The global space economy is presently valued at approximately USD 360 billion. India, despite being among the spacefaring nations, accounts for a mere 2% of this economy.
2. India’s Space Economy: India’s space sector contributes around USD 9.6 billion to the economy. However, its share in the global space economy is a modest 2.6%, and it constitutes only 0.5% of the GDP.
3. Private Sector Involvement: Over the past two decades, the private sector has gained significant prominence in the space industries of various spacefaring nations around the world.
4. Enhancing NGE Participation: Recognizing the potential, there is a necessity to facilitate greater involvement of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in the Indian space program. Their participation is pivotal in elevating India’s market share in the global space economy.

Support for Startups:

The Department of Space has extended support to Agnikula Cosmos, a space technology startup based in Chennai. This assistance includes the supply of a flight termination system (FTS), showcasing the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the space sector.

The Indian Space Policy 2023 underscores the significance of public-private partnerships and aims to propel India into a more prominent position in the global space economy.

Guiding Principles of the Indian Space Policy:

1. Private Industry Access: The policy aims to make established national space infrastructure accessible to the private industry through a business-friendly approach.
2. IN-SPACe Mechanism: Industries can approach IN-SPACe to utilize ISRO facilities, creating a streamlined process for private sector involvement.
3. Optimizing Space Assets: There is a focus on maximizing the use of space assets like satellites and launch capacity by defining responsibilities among different stakeholders.
4. Level Playing Field: The policy endeavours to provide a conducive regulatory environment, ensuring fairness for participants in the Indian private sector.
5. Empowering Private Players: It aims to enable private entities to function independently in the space sector rather than just serving as vendors or suppliers to government programs.

Vision of the Indian Space Policy 2023:

The vision encompasses:

• Strengthening space capabilities and fostering a thriving commercial presence in space.
• Leveraging space technology for technological advancements and deriving benefits in related sectors.
• Engaging in international collaborations and establishing an ecosystem for effective implementation of space applications.

Strategy for the Space Agency:

The Government will focus on:

1. Promoting Research & Development: Encouraging advanced R&D in the space sector to sustain and enhance the space program.
2. Public Goods and Services: Providing public services using space technology to address national priorities.
3. Regulatory Framework: Establishing a stable and predictable regulatory framework to ensure a fair playing field for non-governmental entities in the space sector through IN-SPACe.
4. Education and Innovation: Promoting education and innovation in the space sector, including support for start-ups.
5. Technology Development: Using space as a catalyst for overall technology advancement, fostering a scientific culture in society, and increasing awareness of space activities.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• NSIL will handle strategic activities in the space sector in a demand-driven mode.
• IN-SPACe will serve as the intermediary between ISRO and Non-Government Entities.
• ISRO will focus on developing new technologies, systems, and R&D, while the operational aspect of missions will be transferred to NSIL.

Advantages of the Indian Space Policy:

1. Cost Competitiveness: Promoting the private sector in the space program will help India remain cost-competitive in the global space market, leading to job creation in space and related industries.
2. Startup Ecosystem: The space sector has the potential to foster a dynamic ecosystem of startups and private industries, contributing significantly to India’s economic growth, akin to the success of the IT sector.
3. Increased Market Share: This policy shift is poised to substantially increase India’s share in the global space market.
4. Strategic Advantage: India stands to gain a strategic edge in space technology, a burgeoning field with immense economic potential.
5. Asset Protection: The policy provides provisions for safeguarding India’s space-based assets against potential threats or attacks.
6. Employment Opportunities: The policy offers a surge in white-collar job opportunities, curbing brain drain from the country.
7. R&D Investment: With increased opportunities and investment, there will be a boost in Research and Development, paving the way for technological advancements.

Challenges Faced by the Space Industries:

1. Capital Intensity: The space sector demands significant investment, which may be beyond the financial capacity of private sectors and startups. This necessitates a central role for government support.
2. Research and Development: Insufficient funding for R&D could hinder the sector’s development, as space endeavours require cutting-edge technology and expertise.
3. Skills Gap: There is a shortage of skilled manpower in the space sector due to the limited inclusion of space science in university curricula. This poses a challenge to the sector’s growth.
4. Government Intervention: Given the strategic and economic importance of the space sector, the government needs to proactively address these challenges to facilitate its development.

FAQs

1. What is a space mission?

• A space mission is a planned journey into outer space, typically conducted by space agencies or private companies, with specific scientific, exploratory, or technological objectives. These missions involve the launch, travel, and operations of spacecraft to explore celestial bodies, conduct research, or deploy satellites.

2. What are the main goals of space missions?

• Space missions aim to achieve various objectives, including:
  • Scientific exploration: Studying celestial bodies, such as planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, to understand their composition, environment, and history.
  • Technological advancement: Testing new spacecraft technologies, propulsion systems, and instrumentation to enable future space exploration.
  • Spacecraft development: Designing, building, and testing spacecraft for various purposes, such as communication, navigation, Earth observation, and planetary exploration.
  • Human spaceflight: Conducting manned missions to space stations or other celestial bodies to study the effects of space on the human body and develop technologies for long-duration space travel.

3. How are space missions planned and executed?

• Space missions typically follow a series of steps, including:
  • Mission concept development: Identifying scientific or exploratory objectives and designing mission architectures to achieve them.
  • Payload selection and spacecraft design: Choosing scientific instruments or payloads and designing spacecraft to accommodate them.
  • Launch vehicle selection and integration: Selecting a suitable rocket for the mission and integrating the spacecraft with the launch vehicle.
  • Launch and ascent: Liftoff from Earth and ascent into orbit or trajectory towards the target destination.
  • Spacecraft operations: Conducting in-flight operations, such as communication, navigation, power management, and payload operations.
  • Data collection and analysis: Collecting scientific data or images during the mission and analyzing them to achieve mission objectives.
  • Mission conclusion: Concluding the mission when objectives are achieved or spacecraft operations are completed.

4. What are some notable space missions in history?

• Several historic space missions have significantly advanced our understanding of the cosmos, including:
  • Apollo 11 (1969): First crewed mission to land on the Moon, with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
  • Voyager missions (1977): Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft explored the outer planets of our solar system and continue to journey into interstellar space.
  • Hubble Space Telescope (1990): Orbiting observatory that has revolutionized astronomy with its stunning images and groundbreaking discoveries.
  • Mars rovers (e.g., Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, Perseverance): Robotic missions to explore the surface of Mars, searching for signs of past or present life.
  • International Space Station (1998-present): Collaborative effort involving multiple countries to establish a habitable space laboratory for scientific research and international cooperation.

5. What are some upcoming space missions to look forward to?

• The future of space exploration is promising, with several exciting missions planned, including:
  • Artemis program: NASA’s initiative to return humans to the Moon, including the first woman and the next man, by the mid-2020s.
  • James Webb Space Telescope: Scheduled to launch in the near future, this successor to Hubble will peer deeper into the universe than ever before, studying the early universe, distant exoplanets, and more.
  • Mars Sample Return mission: A collaborative effort between NASA and ESA to return samples from the Martian surface to Earth, potentially paving the way for future crewed missions to Mars.
  • Commercial space tourism: Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are developing spacecraft to offer suborbital and orbital space tourism experiences to private citizens.

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