Space Technology is a very important topic from which UPSC often asks questions. It covers various topics like satellites, space shuttles, spaceflights, etc. Many helpful applications like weather forecasting, GPS, remote sensing, and DTH are only possible due to Space Technology.
Indian Space Research Program: Set up by Vikram Sarabhai with the objectives:
Designing and Fabrication of satellites and development of launch vehicles
Peaceful purposes of outer space
Operational space services in a self-efficient manner
Institutional Setup: The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was developed in 1962 under the guidance of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, to formulate a space program in India.
ISRO and Its Prominent Regional Centre: It was founded in 1969 and operates as the primary research and development arm of the Department of Space, which is directly overseen by the Prime Minister of India while the Chairman of ISRO also acts as the executive of DoS. Some of the regional centers are:
ISAC- ISRO Satellite Application Centre
VSSC- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
SDSC- Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
SAC- Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad
LPSC- Liquid Propulsion System Centre, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu
ISTRAC- ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network, Bengaluru
MCF- Master Control Facility, Bhopal (MP) and Hassan (Karnataka)
NRSA- National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad
ANTRIX: Antrix Corporation Limited: It is a commercial body of ISRO that helps in the commercialization of space products and other services of ISRO. Later in 1992, it was announced to be a private limited company.
New Space India Limited Council (NSIL): It was corporated in 2019 as a whole control of the Department of Space for using the research and development of NASA commercially.
Types of Satellite Orbits:
Orbit | Altitude | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Low Earth Orbit | 50-1500 to 2000 km | True globe coverage, efficient use of spectrum, low propagation delay | Doppler Effect requires a large number of Satellites, a low lifetime |
Medium Earth Orbit | 5000 to 12,000 km | Lower path loss, and medium propagation delay, can cover a large area | The Doppler Effect requires a large number of Satellites, a long deployment time, |
Geosynchronous Orbit | 35,786 km | No Doppler effect covers most of the region of the earth | relatively large propagation delay, large path loss, high launch cost |
High Earth Orbit | Beyond 35,786 km | Earth Path loss is smaller, offers services to high altitude regions, long life | Highest propagation delay, selected coverage area, high manufacturing and launch cost |
Satellite Launching System
Satellite launching systems involve the use of rockets to transport satellites into space. These complex systems employ various technologies, including multistage propulsion, precise navigation, and payload deployment mechanisms. Rockets can be launched from terrestrial sites or mobile platforms at sea. As there is a sea on the eastern side of the east coast, launching systems are located on the east coast and possibly closest to the equator. Key players like SpaceX, NASA, and other global space agencies continually advance these systems, ensuring reliable access to space for communication, Earth observation, and scientific exploration satellites.