Making of a Satellite Centre: The Genesis of ISRO's URSC

Description

This book tells the story of the evolution of the Satellite Center which started from a small Satellite Systems Division in 1967 with a handful of engineers to a vibrant R&D center which is playing the lead role in the Indian Satellite Program. India's space program is unique as it is driven by societal applications. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has centers dedicated to various space applications. The ISRO Satellite Centre, now known as the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), has evolved as lead center for Satellite Technology over five decades and has developed state-of-the-art satellites for applications such as remote sensing, satellite communication and space science. Through the story of URSC, the book describes the challenges of putting together new research and development centers and programs and conveys the importance of leadership and project management skills required to undertake such a task. This book is of interest to researchers, professionals, and administrators involved in the development of new R&D facilities and also to space scientists and space enthusiasts across the world. Prolog Acknowledgements About This Book Contents About the Author 1 The Early Days 2 The ISSP 3 The Experimental Era of Spaced-Based Services 3.1 Beginning of Remote Sensing 3.2 Experimenting with Satellite Communication 3.3 Exploiting an Opportunity—APPLE 3.4 APPLE Enabled the Creation of ISAC 4 The Early 80s 4.1 INSAT-1 4.2 SLV-3, ASLV and Space Science 4.3 PTU to LPSC Bangalore 4.4 PSLV and ISAC 5 The Operational Space Services Era 5.1 The Remote Sensing Satellites 5.2 A Permanent Home at NAL Campus 5.3 IRS-1A Mission 5.4 The Satellite Communication 6 The Foundation TEAM, ISAC 6.1 Mechanical Systems 6.2 Power Systems 6.3 TT&C Systems 6.4 AOCS 6.5 Integration and Ground Check Out 6.6 Spacecraft Mission 6.7 Technical Physics 6.8 Quality Assurance (QA) 6.9 Technical Services 7 Maturing of the Satellite Centre: The 1990s 7.1 Creation of LEOS 7.2 Space-Based Services 7.3 The Journey in Mid-90s 7.4 IRS-P3 7.5 IRS-1C/D (Resource Sat-1 and 2) 7.6 IRS-P4/ Oceansat 1 7.7 Maturing Satellite Technologies 8 Indian Satellite Navigation Program 8.1 GAGAN and IRNSS 8.2 The Space Shuttle and Solar Power Satellites 9 From Technology to Management 9.1 The Fast Track Satellite, INSAT-3B 9.2 ISAC Council 9.3 TES 9.4 METSAT (Kalpana) 9.5 SRE 9.6 ISAC’s Role as Lead Centre 9.7 TDPs 9.8 Capacity Building 9.9 Satellite Production and Component Bank 9.10 Cultural Transformation 9.11 RISAT-1 9.12 Cartosat-1 9.13 New Campus for ISAC 9.14 Chandrayaan 1 9.15 Lack of Linkages with the Society 9.16 Yet Another Change of Leadership 9.17 Widening the Landscape 9.18 Learning to Administrate 10 Looking from a Distance 10.1 Space for National Security 11 The Journey Continues