Not sure if this is the right sub, I tried to download high-resolution satellite images(<5m) of my village for 2019, but Bhoonidhi quotes 7K. Is there a cheaper alternative and which satellite and image spectrum to choose for best result?

I heard that Roscosmos (Russia) has invited India’s ISRO to join the ILRS program, where they are building a lunar space station. Currently, Roscosmos and CNSA (China) are working together on this project, and they have also invited other BRICS countries to participate. Since India is the only one among them with an active space agency, I think ISRO should definitely get involved. This could not only help India gain valuable experience but also push our technology forward.

But, I haven’t seen any recent updates on this yet. Does anyone have more information? What do you all think—should ISRO join the ILRS program, and why or why not?

Source: https://www.isro.gov.in/GSLV-F15_NVS-02_Mission.html

Update on GSLV-F15/NVS-02 Mission ( Dated 02/02/2025)

ISRO successfully completed a century in the launches from its spaceport at Sriharikota on January 29, 2025 with the 17th launch of GSLV. In this mission NVS-02 navigation satellite was successfully injected into the intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. All the launch vehicle stages performed flawlessly and the orbit was achieved with a high degree of precision.

Subsequent to the launch, the solar panels on board the satellite were successfully deployed and power generation is nominal. Communication with the ground station has been established. But the orbit raising operations towards positioning the satellite to the designated orbital slot could not be carried out as the valves for admitting the oxidizer to fire the thrusters for orbit raising did not open.

The satellite systems are healthy and the satellite is currently in elliptical orbit. Alternate mission strategies for utilising the satellite for navigation in an elliptical orbit is being worked out.

Union Budget 2025-2026 is out!

https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/index.php

Notes on Demands for Grants, 2025-2026 Department of Space [PDF] [Archived]

Outcome Budget 2025-2026 : [PDF] [Archived] at Page 259

Economic Survey 2024-2025 : [PDF] [Archived] at Page 232

Here are numbers(in crores of Rupees) for Dept. of Space

Budget 2025-2026

Revised 2024-2025

Budget 2024-2025

Budget 2023-2024 (Actuals)

• Thread on previous year's Budget (2024-2025)

Heard that NVS-02 is having power failure. Does anyone have more details about this

Hi everyone, sorry if I am breaking any rules by posting this. I read an article about spantrik and got to know that they are aiming to develop a reusable rocket. The specs for the rocket on their website look not too shabby and after scrolling through their twitter I think they have actually put in some great 'real' work.

The question is that does this company seem credible to those of you familiar with the Indian space tech ecosystem? My heart has been burned too many times by empty promises and exaggerated claims that lead to nothing. Does this company have the potential to succeed?

So I saw the new video posted by Spacefields yesterday on their latest test of their aerospike engine.

I'd like to know how come the engine tests by Indian rocket teams never seem to feature the nifty mach diamonds or mach rings that we always see accompanying engine tests done by others?

For instance, here's a video from a guy who made his own aerospike engine. I also found his explanation of his work to be more informative and illuminating, without giving me a headache or breaking my eardrums.

Report on 'Space Research in India' (January 2022 to December 2023) for 45th COSPAR Scientific Assembly (13 to 21 July 2024)

[PDF] [Archived]

***

Apparently they tested the composite panel for Gaganyaan White Room during the launch of PSLV-C52 by rigging it and placing on the roof of building next to FLP!

Development of White room sandwich panel and qualification

• Al-PUR Composite panel (with Aluminium facing on either side & Polyurethane foam as core) assembled with Aluminium frames was developed as wall material for White room at launch pad for Gaganyaan mission.
• Mechanical tests are performed to obtain its flatwise tensile, compressive, core shear and flexural properties and also tested in thermal humidity testing chamber at elevated temperatures.
• Whereas the effects of dynamic parameters like acoustics, vibration, heat flux, over pressure, air and face temperatures which usually controls the structural integrity during Launch environment are investigated during PSLV launch and solid motor static test. Post-test, panel was Ultrasonic tested to verify its integrity and was qualified.

White Room config, qualification tests and results

Zooming in

Source image from PSLV-C52 gallery : https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/image/media/Missions/PSLV/more/PSLV52/gallery/yrnl3542.jpg.webp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwZoKpRVliE

• NISAR: Spacecraft is ready,willbe moved to SHAR shortly. Launch may be in couple of months.
• NavIC: Four satellites are operational for PNT services. Apart from five already approved, one more NVS satellite might need approval. Aiming to launch them every five or six months.
• SpaDeX 60-70% propellant still remaining. Power transfer still not done. They intend to take their time with it.
• SAC Director: NVS-02 carries 1 indigenous and 3 imported clocks. Gaining confidence on indigenously developed atomic clocks and in future will replace imported clocks with these. Also looking to transfer the technology to local firm to bring down costs.
• Gaganyaan-G1: HLVM3 stages,CES are in SHAR. TV-D2 inflight abort will be conducted in few months from now, IADT drop tests two months from now.
• LOX Methane engine development: Preliminary design and early developmental tests completed. Detailed engineering in progress, hoping the development and testing activities will begin in this year itself.

Hi everyone. I have founded a team in my college for research and manufacturing products for space. But none of my professors are interested. They are more focused on just completeing their coursework. But what about my projects ? How about you provide me with a NOC to engage with the industry or develop my lab using my own money ? No ! 75 % attendance chahiye. Plus its an "institute of national importance".

Does anybody know anything much about Abyom Space Tech ?

After visiting their website (see link above), scrolling down toward the bottom, we can see 3 different launch vehicle concepts. The launch dates for each of them seem to have been pushed back.

Their opening idea for a reusable sounding rocket seems very intriguing, as it represents lower hanging fruit from a technical standpoint. However, I'm not sure what the market or business case is for sounding rockets, though.

If anyone has any information on them, it would be nice to hear more. I'm really interested in learning more about them.