Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 19 (ANI): Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan released the Strategic Plan 2021-27 of IIT Madras on Monday.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is lagging behind in terms of its regular launches due to the pandemic. Many big missions like Aditya L-1, Space Observatory XPoSat and Chandrayaan-3 are stuck. Gaganyaan Is Just the Beginning! India Plans To Have Sustained Human Presence in Space Look Ahead 2022: From Chandrayaan-3 To Aditya L 1 Mission […]

Bengaluru Sept 19 PTI The Department of Space DoS plans to realise entirely-built rockets -- GSLV-Mk III and SSLV -- from Indian industry partners in addition to PSLV according to a top official of its commercial arm NSIL NSIL NewSpace India Limited has received three bids -- HAL-LT BEL-Adani-BEML and BHEL in response to the request for proposal RFP floated by it for end-to-end production of PSLV Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle We are now going through the techno-commercial evaluation in respect of the three bids NSIL Chairman and Managing Director Radhakrishnan D told PTI here He said the process will be completed within the next two months with one of the bidders bagging the contract The selected bidder will be responsible for realisation of five numbers of PSLV Immediately after selection of the bidder to produce the entire PSLV NSIL will release Expression of Interest EOI for end-to-end production of another operational rocket -- GSLV-Mk III Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle -- in a similar fashion Radhakrishnan said I am targeting before the end of this year to release EOI for GSLV-Mk III he said NSIL also has plans to realise SSLV Small Satellite Launch Vehicle being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO with the first development flight expected by this year-end through Indian industry partners We are waiting for the first mission of SSLV to happen successfully Radhakrishnan said This SSLV will be an ideal candidate for industry production SSLV is a three-stage all solid vehicle and has a capability to launch up to 500 kg satellite mass into 500 km low earth orbit LEO and 300 kg to Sun Synchronous Orbit SSO The new generation compact rocket has been designed to meet launch on demand requirements in a cost-effective manner for small satellites in a dedicated and rideshare mode according to officials of Bengaluru-headquartered ISRO Industrialisation of space activities is gaining momentum in India About 40 space startups and industries are in consultation with ISRO for support related to various domains of space activity such as development of satellites launch vehicles develop applications and provide space-based services Indias Foreign Direct Investment policy in the space sector is also getting revised which the ISRO Chairman and DoS Secretary K Sivan believe will open up huge avenues for foreign companies to invest in the country Earlier this month the DoS entered into a Framework MoU with two spacetech startups -- Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos -- for access to ISRO facilities and expertise towards the development and testing of subsystemssystems of space launch vehicles PTI RS APR APR

Bengaluru Sept 18 PTI The Department of Space DoS has entered into a Framework MoU with aerospace startup Agnikul Cosmos for access to ISRO facilities and expertise towards the development and testing of subsystemssystems of space launch vehiclesThe MoU will enable the company to undertake multiple tests and access facilities at various ISRO Indian Space Research Organisation centres for testing and qualification of its single piece 3D printed Semi Cryo engine and other systemsIt will also enable Agnikul based in National Centre for Combustion RD of IIT-Madras Chennai to avail technical expertise of ISRO for testing and qualifying its space launch vehicle systems and subsystemsAgnikul said the MoU would formally enable it to go forward with its testing plans at ISROWith this level of Govt support low earth orbit does look close tweeted the company which raised USD 11 Million Series A round from institutional and angel investors earlier this year Top Agnikul officials met DoS secretary and ISRO Chairman K Sivan who assured all support from DoS for qualifying Agnikul launch vehicle systemsISROs Scientific Secretary and Chairman Interim IN-SPACe Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre Committee R Umamaheswaran signed the MoU on Friday on behalf of DoS and Agnikul CEO Srinath Ravichandran inked it from the company sideDoS entered into a similar MoU with Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace last week for access to ISRO facilities and expertise towards the development and testing of subsystemssystems of space launch vehiclesThe Framework MoU will enable the company for undertaking multiple tests and access facilities at various ISRO centres and also to avail technical expertise of ISRO for testing and qualifying its space launch vehicle systems and subsystemsMeanwhile earlier this week the ISRO Chairman inaugurated the spacecraft research laboratory at Bellatrix Aerospace located at the Indian Institute of Science campus hereThis privately funded propulsion lab has in-house facilities for development and testing of electric and green chemical propulsion technologies according ISROSivan appreciated the young team for establishing the state-of-the art facility which houses equipment such as integrated thermal high vacuum test facilities catalytic reactors propellant preparation facilities and specialised high temperature coating facilities PTI RS ROH ROH