INDIA'S "EYE IN THE SKY" CARTOSAT - 2 SERIES SATELLITES

INDIA'S "EYE IN THE SKY" CARTOSAT - 2 SERIES SATELLITES
India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its 40th flight (PSLV-C38), launched the 712 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite for earth observation and 30 co-passenger satellites together weighing about 243 kg at lift-off into a 505 km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). PSLV-C38 was launched from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. This is the seventeenth flight of PSLV in 'XL' configuration (with the use of solid strap-on motors). The co-passenger satellites comprise 29 Nano satellites from 14 countries namely, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, United Kingdom and United States of America as well as one Nano satellite (NIUSAT) from India. The total weight of all these satellites carried on-board PSLV-C38 is about 955 kg.

The 29 International customer Nano satellites were launched as part of the commercial arrangements between Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix), a Government of India company under Department of Space (DOS) and the commercial arm of ISRO and the International customers.

Cartosat-2 Series Satellite

Cartosat-2 Series Satellite is the primary satellite carried by PSLV-C38. This remote sensing satellite is similar in configuration to earlier satellites in the series with the objective of providing high-resolution scene specific spot imagery.

The imagery sent by satellite will be useful for cartographic applications, urban and rural applications, coastal land use and regulation, utility management like road network monitoring, water distribution, creation of land use maps, change detection to bring out geographical and manmade features and various other Land Information System (LIS) as well as Geographical Information System (GIS) applications. 

Launch Mass: 712 kg
Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C38 / Cartosat-2 Series Satellite
Type of Satellite: Earth Observation
Application: Earth Observation
Orbit Type: SSPO

NIUSATNIUSAT is an Indian University/Academic Institute satellite from Noorul Isalm University in Tamil Nadu State, launched by PSLV-C38. This 15 kg three axis stabilised satellite is built to provide multispectral imagery for agricultural crop monitoring and disaster management support applications.

A dedicated Mission Control Centre with UHF/VHF antenna for Telemetry/Tele-command operations and S-band antenna for Payload data reception has been established at the university. 
Mass: 15 kg
Orbit: 505 km SSPO 
Launch Mass: 15 kg
Orbit Type: SSPO

Earth Observation SatellitesStarting with IRS-1A in 1988, ISRO has launched many operational remote sensing satellites. Today, India has one of the largest constellations of remote sensing satellites in operation. Currently, thirteen operational satellites are in Sun-synchronous orbit – RESOURCESAT-1, 2, 2A CARTOSAT-1, 2, 2A, 2B, RISAT-1 and 2, OCEANSAT-2, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL and SCATSAT-1, and *four* in Geostationary orbit- INSAT-3D, Kalpana & INSAT 3A, INSAT -3DR. 

Varieties of instruments have been flown onboard these satellites to provide necessary data in a diversified spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions to cater to different user requirements in the country and for global usage. The data from these satellites are used for several applications covering agriculture, water resources, urban planning, rural development, mineral prospecting, environment, forestry, ocean resources and disaster management.

List of Earth Observation Satellites launched in 2016 & 17

	Launch Date	Launch Mass	Launch Vehicle	Orbit Type	Application
Cartosat-2 Series Satellite	Jun 23, 2017	712 kg	PSLV-C38 / Cartosat-2 Series Satellite	SSPO	Earth Observation
Cartosat -2 Series Satellite	Feb 15, 2017	714 kg	PSLV-C37 / Cartosat -2 Series Satellite	SSPO	Earth Observation
RESOURCESAT-2A	Dec 07, 2016	1235 kg	PSLV-C36 / RESOURCESAT-2A	SSPO	Earth Observation
SCATSAT-1	Sep 26, 2016	371 kg	PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1	SSPO	Climate & Environment
INSAT-3DR	Sep 08, 2016	2211 kg	GSLV-F05 / INSAT-3DR	GSO	Climate & Environment, Disaster Management System
CARTOSAT-2 Series Satellite	Jun 22, 2016	737.5 kg	PSLV-C34 / CARTOSAT-2 Series Satellite	SSPO	Earth Observation

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN INDIA

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN INDIA
Nuclear power is the fourth-largest source of electricity in India after thermal, hydroelectric and renewable sources of electricity.NPCIL is responsible for design, construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear power reactors. NPCIL is presently operating 22 commercial nuclear power reactors with an installed capacity of 6780 MW. The reactor fleet comprises two Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) and 18 Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) including one 100 MW PHWR at Rajasthan which is owned by DAE, Government of India and one 1000 MW VVER reactor KKNPS-1. 

Latest addition to the fleet is the unit-2 of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Station, a 1000 MW VVER (Pressurised Water Reactor type), which has started its commercial operation on March 31, 2017. Currently NPCIL has four reactors under various stages of construction totaling 2800 MW capacity.

The list of nuclear power plants operational in India: 

Plant	Unit	Type	Capacity (MWe)	Date of Commercial Operation	Location
Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), Maharashtra	1	BWR	160	October28,1969	Tarapur, Maharashtra
Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), Maharashtra	2	BWR	160	October28,1969	Tarapur, Maharashtra
Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), Maharashtra	3	PHWR	540	August 18,2006	Tarapur, Maharashtra
Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), Maharashtra	4	PHWR	540	September12,2005	Tarapur, Maharashtra
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), Rajasthan	1	PHWR	100	December 16,1973	Rajasthan
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), Rajasthan	2	PHWR	200	April 1,1981	Rajasthan
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), Rajasthan	3	PHWR	220	June 1,2000	Rajasthan
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), Rajasthan	4	PHWR	220	December 23,2000	Rajasthan
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), Rajasthan	5	PHWR	220	February 4,2010	Rajasthan
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS),Rajasthan	6	PHWR	220	March31, 2010	Rajasthan
Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), Tamilnadu	1	PHWR	220	January27, 1984	Madras, Tamilnadu
Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), Tamilnadu	2	PHWR	220	March21, 1986	Madras, Tamilnadu
Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), Karnataka	1	PHWR	220	November16,2000	Kaiga, Karnataka
Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), Karnataka	2	PHWR	220	March16,2000	Kaiga, Karnataka
Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), Karnataka	3	PHWR	220	May 6,2007	Kaiga, Karnataka
Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), Karnataka	4	PHWR	220	January20,2011	Kaiga, Karnataka
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Station (KKNPS), Tamilnadu	1	VVER -1000 (PWR)	1000	December 31,2014	Kudankulam, Tamilnadu
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Station (KKNPS), Tamilnadu	2	VVER -1000 (PWR)	1000	March31, 2017	Kudankulam, Tamilnadu
Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), Uttarpradesh	1	PHWR	220	January1, 1991	Narora, Uttarpradesh
Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), Uttarpradesh	2	PHWR	220	July 1,1992	Narora, Uttarpradesh
Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS), Gujarat	1	PHWR	220	May 6, 1993	Kakrapar, Gujarat
Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS), Gujarat	2	PHWR	220	September1, 1995	Kakrapar, Gujarat

UNIVERSITY / ACADEMIC INSTITUTE SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO

UNIVERSITY / ACADEMIC INSTITUTE SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO
University / Academic Institute SatellitesISRO has influenced educational institutions by its activities like making satellites for communication, remote sensing and astronomy. The launch of Chandrayaan-1 increased the interest of universities and institutions towards making experimental student satellites. 

Various University / Academic Institute satellites launched by ISRO:

Name of the Satellite	Launch Date	Launch Mass	Launch Vehicle
PISAT	Sep 26, 2016	5.25 kg	PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1
PRATHAM	Sep 26, 2016	10 kg	PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1
SWAYAM	Jun 22, 2016	1kg	PSLV-C34 / CARTOSAT-2 Series Satellite
SATHYABAMASAT	Jun 22, 2016	1.5 kg	PSLV-C34 / CARTOSAT-2 Series Satellite
Jugnu	Oct 12, 2011	3 kg	PSLV-C18/Megha-Tropiques
SRMSat	Oct 12, 2011	10.9 kg	PSLV-C18/Megha-Tropiques
STUDSAT	Jul 12, 2010	Less than 1 kg	PSLV-C15/CARTOSAT-2B
ANUSAT	Apr 20, 2009	40 kg	PSLV-C12 / RISAT-2

COMMUNICATION SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO

COMMUNICATION SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO
Communication SatellitesThe Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in Asia-Pacific region with 15 operational communication satellites placed in Geo-stationary orbit. Established in 1983 with commissioning of INSAT-1B, it initiated a major revolution in India’s communications sector and sustained the same later. 

GSAT-19 joins the constellation of INSAT System consisting 15 operational satellites, namely - INSAT-3A, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4CR and GSAT-6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 18. The INSAT system with more than 200 transponders in the C, Extended C and Ku-bands provides services to telecommunications, television broadcasting, satellite news gathering, societal applications, weather forecasting, disaster warning and Search and Rescue operations.

Name of the Satellite	Launch Date	Launch Mass	Power	Launch Vehicle
GSAT-19	Jun 05, 2017	3136 Kg		GSLV Mk III-D1/GSAT-19 Mission
GSAT-9	May 05, 2017	2230 kg	3500 Watts	GSLV-F09 / GSAT-9
GSAT-18	Oct 06, 2016	3404 kg	6474 W from Solar arrays, Two 144 Ah Li-Ion batteries	Ariane-5 VA-231
GSAT-15	Nov 11, 2015	3164 kg	Solar array providing 6200 Watts and Three 100 AH Lithium-Ion batteries	Ariane-5 VA-227
GSAT-6	Aug 27, 2015	2117 kg	Generated power 3100 W	GSLV-D6
GSAT-16	Dec 07, 2014	3181.6 kg	Solar array providing 6000 Watts and two 180 AH Lithium lon batteries	Ariane-5 VA-221
GSAT-14	Jan 05, 2014	1982 kg	2600 W	GSLV-D5/GSAT-14
GSAT-7	Aug 30, 2013	2650 kg	3,000 W	Ariane-5 VA-215
GSAT-10	Sep 29, 2012	3400 kg	6474 Watts	Ariane-5 VA-209
GSAT-12	Jul 15, 2011	1410 kg	1430 Watts	PSLV-C17/GSAT-12
GSAT-8	May 21, 2011	3093 kg	6242 Watt	Ariane-5 VA-202
GSAT-5P	Dec 25, 2010	2310 kg		GSLV-F06 / GSAT-5P
GSAT-4	Apr 15, 2010	2220 Kg		GSLV-D3 / GSAT-4
INSAT-4CR	Sep 02, 2007	2,130 kg	3000 W	GSLV-F04 / INSAT-4CR
INSAT-4B	Mar 12, 2007	3025 Kg	5859 W	Ariane5
INSAT-4C	Jul 10, 2006			GSLV-F02 / INSAT-4C
INSAT-4A	Dec 22, 2005	3081 Kg	5922 W	Ariane5-V169
HAMSAT	May 05, 2005			PSLV-C6/CARTOSAT-1/HAMSAT
EDUSAT	Sep 20, 2004	1950.5 kg	2040 W	GSLV-F01 / EDUSAT(GSAT-3)
INSAT-3E	Sep 28, 2003	2,775 Kg		Ariane5-V162
GSAT-2	May 08, 2003	1800 Kg		GSLV-D2 / GSAT-2
INSAT-3A	Apr 10, 2003	2,950 Kg	3,100 W	Ariane5-V160
KALPANA-1	Sep 12, 2002	1060 Kg	550 W	PSLV-C4 /KALPANA-1
INSAT-3C	Jan 24, 2002	2,650 Kg	2765 W	Ariane5-V147
GSAT-1	Apr 18, 2001	1530 Kg		GSLV-D1 / GSAT-1
INSAT-3B	Mar 22, 2000	2,070 Kg	1,712 W	Ariane-5G
INSAT-2E	Apr 03, 1999	2,550 Kg		Ariane-42P H10-3
INSAT-2D	Jun 04, 1997	2079 Kg	1650 Watts	Ariane-44L H10-3
INSAT-2C	Dec 07, 1995	2106 Kg	1320 Watts	Ariane-44L H10-3
INSAT-2B	Jul 23, 1993	1906 kg	One KW approx.	Ariane-44L H10+
INSAT-2A	Jul 10, 1992	1906 kg	One KW approx	Ariane-44L H10
INSAT-1D	Jun 12, 1990			Delta 4925
INSAT-1C	Jul 22, 1988			Ariane-3
INSAT-1B	Aug 30, 1983			Shuttle [PAM-D]
INSAT-1A	Apr 10, 1982			Delta

EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO

EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO
Earth Observation SatellitesStarting with IRS-1A in 1988, ISRO has launched many operational remote sensing satellites. Today, India has one of the largest constellations of remote sensing satellites in operation. Currently, thirteen operational satellites are in Sun-synchronous orbit – RESOURCESAT-1, 2, 2A CARTOSAT-1, 2, 2A, 2B, RISAT-1 and 2, OCEANSAT-2, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL and SCATSAT-1, and four in Geostationary orbit- INSAT-3D, Kalpana & INSAT 3A, INSAT -3DR. 

Varieties of instruments have been flown onboard these satellites to provide necessary data in a diversified spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions to cater to different user requirements in the country and for global usage. The data from these satellites are used for several applications covering agriculture, water resources, urban planning, rural development, mineral prospecting, environment, forestry, ocean resources and disaster management.

Name of the satellites	Launch Date	Launch Mass	Power	Launch Vehicle
Cartosat -2 Series Satellite	Feb 15, 2017	714 kg		PSLV-C37 / Cartosat -2 Series Satellite
RESOURCESAT-2A	Dec 07, 2016	1235 kg		PSLV-C36 / RESOURCESAT-2A
SCATSAT-1	Sep 26, 2016	371 kg		PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1
INSAT-3DR	Sep 08, 2016	2211 kg		GSLV-F05 / INSAT-3DR
CARTOSAT-2 Series Satellite	Jun 22, 2016	737.5 kg	986 W	PSLV-C34 / CARTOSAT-2 Series Satellite
INSAT-3D	Jul 26, 2013	2060 Kg	1164 W	Ariane-5 VA-214
SARAL	Feb 25, 2013	407 kg	906 W	PSLV-C20/SARAL
RISAT-1	Apr 26, 2012	1858 kg	2200 W	PSLV-C19/RISAT-1
Megha-Tropiques	Oct 12, 2011	1000 kg	1325 W	PSLV-C18/Megha-Tropiques
RESOURCESAT-2	Apr 20, 2011	1206 kg	1250 W	PSLV-C16/RESOURCESAT-2
CARTOSAT-2B	Jul 12, 2010	694 kg	930 W	PSLV-C15/CARTOSAT-2B
Oceansat-2	Sep 23, 2009	960 kg	1360W	PSLV-C14 / OCEANSAT-2
RISAT-2	Apr 20, 2009	300 kg		PSLV-C12 / RISAT-2
IMS-1	Apr 28, 2008	83 kg	220 W	PSLV-C9 / CARTOSAT – 2A
CARTOSAT – 2A	Apr 28, 2008	690 Kg	900 W	PSLV-C9 / CARTOSAT – 2A
CARTOSAT-2	Jan 10, 2007	650 kg	900 W	PSLV-C7 / CARTOSAT-2 / SRE-1
CARTOSAT-1	May 05, 2005	1560 kg	1100 W	PSLV-C6/CARTOSAT-1/HAMSAT
IRS-P6 / RESOURCESAT-1	Oct 17, 2003	1360 kg	1250 W	PSLV-C5 /RESOURCESAT-1
The Technology Experiment Satellite (TES)	Oct 22, 2001			PSLV-C3 / TES
Oceansat(IRS-P4)	May 26, 1999	1050 kg	750 W	PSLV-C2/IRS-P4
IRS-1D	Sep 29, 1997	1250kg	809 W	PSLV-C1 / IRS-1D
IRS-P3	Mar 21, 1996	920 kg	817 Watts	PSLV-D3 / IRS-P3
IRS-1C	Dec 28, 1995	1250 kg	809 W	Molniya
IRS-P2	Oct 15, 1994	804 kg	510 W	PSLV-D2
IRS-1E	Sep 20, 1993	846 kg	415 W	PSLV-D1
IRS-1B	Aug 29, 1991	975 kg	600 W	Vostok
SROSS-2	Jul 13, 1988	150 kg	90 W	ASLV-D2
IRS-1A	Mar 17, 1988	975 kg	600 W	Vostok
Rohini Satellite RS-D2	Apr 17, 1983	41.5 kg	16 Watts	SLV-3
Bhaskara-II	Nov 20, 1981	444 kg	47 W	C-1 Intercosmos
Rohini Satellite RS-D1	May 31, 1981	38 kg	16 W	SLV-3D1
Bhaskara-I	Jun 07, 1979	442 kg	47 W	C-1Intercosmos
Cartosat-2 Series Satellite				PSLV-C38 / Cartosat-2 Series Satellite

EXPERIMENTAL AND SMALL SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO

EXPERIMENTAL AND SMALL SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO
Experimental SatellitesISRO has launched many small satellites mainly for the experimental purposes. This experiment includes Remote Sensing, Atmospheric Studies, Payload Development, Orbit Controls, and Recovery Technology etc.

Small SatellitesThe small satellite project is envisaged to provide platform for stand-alone payloads for earth imaging and science missions within a quick turnaround time. 

For making the versatile platform for different kinds of payloads, two kinds of buses have been configured and developed.

Indian Mini Satellite -1 (IMS-1)IMS-1 bus has been developed as a versatile bus of 100 kg class which includes a payload capability of around 30 kg. The bus has been developed using various miniaturization techniques. The first mission of the IMS-1 series was launched successfully on April 28th 2008 as a co-passenger along with Cartosat 2A. Youthsat is second mission in this series and was launched successfully along with Resourcesat 2 on 20th April 2011.

Indian Mini Satellite -2 (IMS-2) BusIMS-2 Bus is evolved as a standard bus of 400 kg class which includes a payload capability of around 200kg. IMS-2 development is an important milestone as it is envisaged to be a work horse for different types of remote sensing applications. The first mission of IMS-2 is SARAL. SARAL is a co-operative mission between ISRO and CNES with payloads from CNES and spacecraft bus from ISRO. 

Various experimental satellites launched by ISRO:

Name of the Satellite	Launch Date	Launch Mass	Power	Launch Vehicle
INS-1B	Feb 15, 2017	9.7 kg		PSLV-C37 / Cartosat -2 Series Satellite
INS-1A	Feb 15, 2017	8.4 kg		PSLV-C37 / Cartosat -2 Series Satellite
YOUTHSAT	Apr 20, 2011	92 kg	Solar Array generating 230 W, one 10.5 AH Li-ion battery	PSLV-C16/RESOURCESAT-2
APPLE	Jun 19, 1981	670 kg	210	Ariane -1(V-3)
Rohini Satellite RS-1	Jul 18, 1980	35 kg	16 Watts	SLV-3E2
Rohini Technology Payload (RTP)	Aug 10, 1979	35 kg		SLV-3E1
Aryabhata	Apr 19, 1975	360 kg	46 Watts	C-1 Intercosmos
YOUTHSAT	Apr 20, 2011	92 kg	Solar Array generating 230 W, one 10.5 AH Li-ion battery	PSLV-C16/RESOURCESAT-2

NAVIGATION SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO

NAVIGATION SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO
Navigation Satellite SystemSatellite Navigation service is an emerging satellite based system with commercial and strategic applications. To meet the Civil Aviation requirements, ISRO is working jointly with Airport Authority of India (AAI) in establishing the GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system. To meet the user requirements of the positioning, navigation and timing services based on the indigenous system, ISRO is establishing a regional satellite navigation system called Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

(a) GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN):This is a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) implemented jointly with Airport Authority of India (AAI). The main objectives of GAGAN are to provide Satellite-based Navigation services with accuracy and integrity required for civil aviation applications and to provide better Air Traffic Management over Indian Airspace. The GAGAN Signal-In-Space (SIS) is available through GSAT-8 and GSAT-10.

(b) Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS): NavICThis is an independent Indian Satellite based positioning system for critical National applications. The main objective is to provide Reliable Position, Navigation and Timing services over India and its neighbourhood, to provide fairly good accuracy to the user. The IRNSS will provide basically two types of services

Standard Positioning Service (SPS)
Restricted Service (RS)Space Segment consists of seven satellites, three satellites in GEO stationary orbit (GEO) and four satellites in Geo Synchronous Orbit (GSO) orbit with inclination of 29° to the equatorial plane. This constellation of seven satellites was named as "NavIC" (Navigation Indian Constellation) by the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi and dedicated to the Nation on the occasion of successful launch of IRNSS-1G, the seventh and last satellite of NavIC. 

All the satellites will be visible at all times in the Indian region. All the seven Satellites of NavIC, namely, IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C, ID,1E, 1F and 1G were successfully launched on July 02, 2013, Apr 04, 2014, Oct 16, 2014, Mar 28, 2015, Jan 20, 2016, Mar 10, 2016 and Apr 28, 2016 respectively and all are functioning satisfactorily from their designated orbital positions. 

Various IRNSS satellites launched by ISRO:

Name of the Satellite	Launch Date	Launch Mass Power	Power Launch Vehicle	Launch Vehicle
IRNSS-1G	Apr 28, 2016			PSLV-C33/IRNSS-1G
IRNSS-1F	Mar 10, 2016			PSLV-C32/IRNSS-1F
IRNSS-1E	Jan 20, 2016			PSLV-C31/IRNSS-1E
IRNSS-1D	Mar 28, 2015			PSLV-C27/IRNSS-1D
IRNSS-1C	Oct 16, 2014			PSLV-C26/IRNSS-1C
IRNSS-1B	Apr 04, 2014	1432 kg	1660 W	PSLV-C24/IRNSS-1B
IRNSS-1A	Jul 01, 2013	1425 kg	1660 W	PSLV-C22/IRNSS-1A

SCIENTIFIC AND EXPLORATION SPACECRAFT LAUNCHED BY ISRO

SCIENTIFIC AND EXPLORATION SPACECRAFT LAUNCHED BY ISRO
Space Science and ExplorationIndian space programme encompasses research in areas like astronomy, astrophysics, planetary and earth sciences, atmospheric sciences and theoretical physics. Several scientific instruments have been flown on satellites especially to direct celestial X-ray and gamma-ray bursts.

AstroSatAstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously. 

AstroSat with a lift-off mass of 1515 kg was launched on September 28, 2015 into a 650 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 deg to the equator by PSLV-C30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The minimum useful life of the AstroSat mission is expected to be 5 years. 

Mars Orbiter MissionMars Orbiter Mission is ISRO’s first interplanetary mission to planet Mars with an orbiter craft designed to orbit Mars in an elliptical orbit of 372 km by 80,000 km. 

Chandrayaan-1Chandrayaan-1, India's first mission to Moon, was launched successfully on October 22, 2008 from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. The spacecraft was orbiting around the Moon at a height of 100 km from the lunar surface for chemical, mineralogical and photo-geologic mapping of the Moon. The spacecraft carried 11 scientific instruments built in India, USA, UK, Germany, Sweden and Bulgaria.

Chandrayaan-2Chandrayaan-2 will be an advanced version of the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission to Moon.Chandrayaan-2 is configured as a two module system comprising of an Orbiter Craft module (OC) and a Lander Craft module (LC) carrying the Rover developed by ISRO.

Various space exploration satellites launched by ISRO:

Name of the satellites	Launch Date	Launch Mass	Power	Launch Vehicle
Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraft	Nov 05, 2013	1337 kg	840 W	PSLV-C25
Chandrayaan-1	Oct 22, 2008	1380 kg	700 W	PSLV-C11
SRE-1	Jan 10, 2007	550 kg		PSLV-C7 / CARTOSAT-2 / SRE-1
SROSS-C2	May 04, 1994	115 kg	45 W	ASLV-D4
SROSS-C	May 20, 1992	106.1 kg	45 W	ASLV-D3
SROSS-1	Mar 24, 1987	150 kg	90 W	ASLV-D1

ATOMIC RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS IN INDIA

ATOMIC RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS IN INDIA
Research and Development Units

• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
• Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam
• Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata
• Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore
• Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Hyderabad
• Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership, Bahadurgarh

Public Sector Undertakings

• Indian Rare Earths Ltd, Mumbai
• Electronics Corporation of India Ltd, Hyderabad
• Uranium Corporation of India Ltd, Jaduguda
• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, Mumbai
• Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd, Kalpakkam

Industrial Organisations

• Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad
• Heavy Water Board, Mumbai
• Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, Mumbai

Deemed University and Boards

• Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai
• Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences, Mumbai
• National Board for Higher Mathematics, Mumbai

Aided Institutions

• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai
• Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata
• Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai
• Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai
• Institute of Physics, Bhubaneshwar
• Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad
• Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar
• National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneshwar
• Atomic Energy Education Society, Mumbai

INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION - ISRO

INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION - ISRO

• Indian Space Research Organisation- ISRO is the space agency of the Indian government.
• Its vision is to "harness space technology for national development, while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration”
• ISRO is superseded the erstwhile Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which was established in 1962 by the efforts of independent India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and scientist Vikram Sarabhai.
• The establishment of ISRO institutionalised, space activities in India. It is managed by the Department of Space, which reports to the Prime Minister of India.
• ISRO built India's first satellite, Aryabhatta, which was launched by the Soviet Union on 19 April in 1975.
• In 1980, Rohini became the first satellite to be placed in orbit by an Indian-made launch vehicle, SLV-3.
• ISRO has upheld its mission of bringing space to the service of the common man, to the service of the Nation. In the process, it has become one of the six largest space agencies in the world.
• ISRO maintains one of the largest fleet of communication satellites (INSAT) and remote sensing (IRS) satellites, that cater to the ever growing demand for fast and reliable communication and earth observation respectively.
• ISRO develops and delivers application specific satellite products and tools to the Nation: broadcasts, communications, weather forecasts, disaster management tools, Geographic Information Systems, cartography, navigation, telemedicine, dedicated distance education satellites being some of them.
• ISRO is moving forward with the development of heavy lift launchers, human spaceflight projects, reusable launch vehicles, semi-cryogenic engines, single and two stage to orbit (SSTO and TSTO) vehicles, development and use of composite materials for space applications etc.
• Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Formed: 15thAugust, 1969.
• Chairman: A.S. Kiran Kumar.

2015 NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE FOR WILLIAM C. CAMPBELL, SATOSHI OMURA, TU YOUYOU

2015 NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE FOR WILLIAM C. CAMPBELL, SATOSHI OMURA, TU YOUYOU
The Nobel Assembly has decided to award the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with one half jointly to William C. Campbell and Satoshi Omura for their discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites and the other half to Youyou Tu for her discoveries concerning a novel therapy against Malaria. William C. Campbell and Satoshi Omura discovered a new drug, Avermectin, the derivatives of which have radically lowered the incidence of River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis, as well as showing efficacy against an expanding number of other parasitic diseases. Youyou Tu discovered Artemisinin, a drug that has significantly reduced the mortality rates for patients suffering from Malaria.

Parasites cause devastating diseasesWe live in a biologically complex world, which is populated not only by humans and other large animals, but also by a plethora of other organisms, some of which are harmful or deadly to us.

Parasitic wormsA variety of parasites cause disease. A medically important group is the parasitic worms (helminths), which are estimated to afflict one third of the world’s population and are particularly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Central and South America. River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis are two diseases caused by parasitic worms. As the name implies, River Blindness (Onchocerciasis) ultimately leads to blindness, because of chronic inflammation in the cornea. Lymphatic Filariasis, afflicting more than 100 million people, causes chronic swelling and leads to life-long stigmatizing and disabling clinical symptoms, including Elephantiasis (Lymphedema) and Scrotal Hydrocele.

MalariaMalaria has been with humankind for as long as we know. It is a mosquito-borne disease caused by single-cell parasites, which invade red blood cells, causing fever, and in severe cases brain damage and death. More than 3.4 billion of the world’s most vulnerable citizens are at risk of contracting Malaria, and each year it claims more than 450 000 lives, predominantly among children.

Treatment for devastating diseasesThis year’s Nobel Laureates have developed therapies that have revolutionized the treatment of some of the most devastating parasitic diseases.

These two discoveries have provided humankind with powerful new means to combat these debilitating diseases that affect hundreds of millions of people annually. The consequences in terms of improved human health and reduced suffering are immeasurable. 

From bacteria and plants to novel anti-parasite therapiesAfter decades of limited progress in developing durable therapies for parasitic diseases, the discoveries by this year’s Laureates radically changed the situation.

Satoshi OmuraSatoshi Omura, a Japanese microbiologist and expert in isolating natural products, focused on a group of bacteria, Streptomyces, which lives in the soil and was known to produce a plethora of agents with antibacterial activities (including Streptomycin discovered by Selman Waksman, Nobel Prize 1952).

Equipped with extraordinary skills in developing unique methods for large-scale culturing and characterization of these bacteria, Omura isolated new strains of Streptomyces from soil samples and successfully cultured them in the laboratory. From many thousand different cultures, he selected about 50 of the most promising, with the intent that they would be further analyzed for their activity against harmful microorganisms 

Satoshi Omura searched for novel strains of Streptomyces bacteria as a source for new bioactive compounds. He isolated microbes from soil samples in Japan, cultured them in the laboratory (inset to left) and characterized many thousands of Streptomyces cultures. From those, he selected around 50 cultures that appeared most promising, and one of these cultures later turned out to be Streptomyces avermitilis the source of Avermectin. 

William C. CampbellWilliam C. Campbell, an expert in parasite biology working in the USA, acquired Omura’s Streptomyces cultures and explored their efficacy. Campbell showed that a component from one of the cultures was remarkably efficient against parasites in domestic and farm animals. The bioactive agent was purified and named Avermectin, which was subsequently chemically modified to a more effective compound called Ivermectin. Ivermectin was later tested in humans with parasitic infections and effectively killed parasite larvae (microfilaria) (Figure 3). Collectively, Omura and Campbell’s contributions led to the discovery of a new class of drugs with extraordinary efficacy against parasitic diseases.

Youyou TuMalaria was traditionally treated by chloroquine or quinine, but with declining success. By the late 1960s, efforts to eradicate Malaria had failed and the disease was on the rise. At that time, Youyou Tu in China turned to traditional herbal medicine to tackle the challenge of developing novel Malaria therapies. From a large-scale screen of herbal remedies in Malaria-infected animals, an extract from the plant Artemisia annua emerged as an interesting candidate. 

However, the results were inconsistent, so Tu revisited the ancient literature and discovered clues that guided her in her quest to successfully extract the active component from Artemisia annua. Tu was the first to show that this component, later called Artemisinin, was highly effective against the Malaria parasite, both in infected animals and in humans. Artemisinin represents a new class of antimalarial agents that rapidly kill the Malaria parasites at an early stage of their development, which explains its unprecedented potency in the treatment of severe Malaria. 

About the Nobel Prize:On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace - the Nobel Prizes. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. 

At the Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies the Nobel Laureates receive three things: a Nobel Diploma, a Nobel Medal and a document confirming the Nobel Prize amount.

PSLV - C28 LAUNCHED: ANOTHER MILESTONE OF ISRO

PSLV - C28 LAUNCHED: ANOTHER MILESTONE OF ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully placed into orbit five British satellites using its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C28, in a landmark mission.About PSLV C28

• It is a PSLV-XL version
• Lifted from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikotta, Andhra Pradesh.
• It comprised of new designs consisting of circular launcher adaptor i.e. L-adaptor and a triangular deck called Multiple Satellite Adapter-Version 2 (MSA-V2).

About Payloads

• Among five payloads, three are mini-satellites DMC3-1, DMC3-2 and DMC3-3, each weighing 447 kg whereas two are auxiliary satellites, - CBNT-1 micro-satellite (91kg) and De-orbitSail (7kg).
• Total weight of all 5 satellites was 1,440 kg
• The three DMC3 and the CBNT-1 satellites are built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.
• The De-OrbitSail is built by Surrey Space Centre.
• These satellites can image any target on the Earth's surface every day.
• Major application areas include surveying the resources on earth and its environment, managing urban infrastructure and monitoring disasters.
• De-OrbitSail is an experimental nano satellite. It will be used for the demonstration of large thin membrane sail and drag deorbiting using this sail
• The life of the mission is seven years.

Facts

• This is the heaviest commercial luggage carried by a PSLV rocket till date with the five satellites.
• Earlier successful launches by ISRO -- Mars Orbiter Mission which was launched in Nov 5, 2013 and Chandrayaan-1 launched in Oct 22, 2008 were with similar PSLV-XL variants.
• It was PSLV’s overall 30th flight and 29th consecutive successful launch and 9th flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration.
• Since 1999 till date, India has launched 40 satellites of other countries with its PSLV rocket and with today's successful launch of the five British satellites; the tally has now risen to 45.
• With this, India has successfully launched 45 satellites of 18 different foreign countries successfully in space since 1999.
• These countries are Germany, South Korea, Indonesia, Belgium, Italy, Israel, Argentina, Canada, Japan, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Algeria, Singapore, Luxembourg, France and Austria.
• It was ISRO’s second launch in year 2015, the previous launch was of navigation satellite, IRNSS-1D in March, 2015.
• ISRO Chairman is Kiran Kumar.

PHOBIAS

PHOBIAS
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder.

It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. People with phobias try to avoid what they are afraid of. If they cannot, they may experience panic and fear, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and a strong desire to get away.


Here is a list of common phobias that can have a serious impact on an individual's life: Achluophobia - Fear of darkness.
Acrophobia - Fear of heights.
Aerophobia - Fear of flying.
Algophobia - Fear of pain.
Agoraphobia - Fear of open spaces or crowds.
Aichmophobia - Fear of needles or pointed objects.
Amaxophobia - Fear of riding in a car.
Androphobia - Fear of men.
Anginophobia - Fear of angina or choking.
Anthrophobia - Fear of flowers.
Anthropophobia - Fear of people or society.
Aphenphosmphobia - Fear of being touched.
Arachnophobia - Fear of spiders.
Arithmophobia - Fear of numbers.
Astraphobia - Fear of thunder and lightning.
Ataxophobia - Fear of disorder or untidiness.
Atelophobia - Fear of imperfection.
Atychiphobia - Fear of failure.
Autophobia - Fear of being alone.
Bacteriophobia - Fear of bacteria.
Barophobia - Fear of gravity.
Bathmophobia - Fear of stairs or steep slopes.
Batrachophobia - Fear of amphibians.
Belonephobia - Fear of pins and needles.
Bibliophobia - Fear of books.
Botanophobia - Fear of plants.
Cacophobia - Fear of ugliness.
Catagelophobia - Fear of being ridiculed.
Catoptrophobia - Fear of mirrors.
Chionophobia - Fear of snow.
Chromophobia - Fear of colors.
Chronomentrophobia - Fear of clocks.
Claustrophobia - Fear of confined spaces.
Coulrophobia - Fear of clowns.
Cyberphobia - Fear of computers.
Cynophobia - Fear of dogs.
Dendrophobia - Fear of trees.
Dentophobia - Fear of dentists.
Domatophobia - Fear of houses.
Dystychiphobia - Fear of accidents.
Ecophobia - Fear of the home.
Elurophobia - Fear of cats.
Entomophobia - Fear of insects.
Ephebiphobia - Fear of teenagers.
Equinophobia - Fear of horses.
Gamophobia - Fear of marriage.
Genuphobia - Fear of knees.
Glossophobia - Fear of speaking in public.
Gynophobia - Fear of women.
Heliophobia - Fear of the sun.
Hemophobia - Fear of blood.
Herpetophobia - Fear of reptiles.
Hydrophobia - Fear of water.
Hypochonria - Fear of illness.
Iatrophobia - Fear of doctors.
Insectophobia - Fear of insects.
Koinoniphobia - Fear of rooms.
Leukophobia - Fear of the color white.
Lilapsophobia - Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes.
Lockiophobia - Fear of childbirth.
Mageirocophobia - Fear of cooking.
Megalophobia - Fear of large things.
Melanophobia - Fear of the color black.
Microphobia - Fear of small things.
Mysophobia - Fear of dirt and germs.
Necrophobia - Fear of death or dead things.
Noctiphobia - Fear of the night.
Nosocomephobia - Fear of hospitals.
Nyctophobia - Fear of the dark.
Obesophobia - Fear of gaining weight.
Octophobia - Fear of the figure 8.
Ombrophobia - Fear of rain.
Ophidiophobia - Fear of snakes.
Ornithophobia - Fear of birds.
Papyrophobia - Fear of paper.
Pathophobia - Fear of disease.
Pedophobia - Fear of children.
Philophobia - Fear of love.
Phobophobia - Fear of phobias.
Podophobia - Fear of feet.
Porphyrophobia - Fear of the color purple.
Pteridophobia - Fear of ferns.
Pteromerhanophobia - Fear of flying.
Pyrophobia - Fear of fire.
Samhainophobia - Fear of Halloween.
Scolionophobia - Fear of school.
Selenophobia - Fear of the moon.
Sociophobia - Fear of social evaluation.
Somniphobia - Fear of sleep.
Tachophobia - Fear of speed.
Technophobia - Fear of technology.
Tonitrophobia - Fear of thunder.
Trypanophobia - Fear of needles / injections.
Venustraphobia - Fear of beautiful women.
Verminophobia - Fear of germs.
Wiccaphobia - Fear of witches and witchcraft.
Xenophobia - Fear of strangers or foreigners.
Zoophobia - Fear of animals.