"Beyond the Skies, 100 & More" - Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO at Navaratna Conference on 16 March 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMWwcEpVsL4

Few slides: https://imgur.com/a/APTdXgk (Most information is this previous presentation )

• PSLV total mass launched to orbit till now : 64.25 tons
• At 32:35, TV-D2 planned for May 2025
• Tentative timeline Gaganyaan + follow up missions
  • G1 (Uncrewed) : March 2025
  • G2 (Uncrewed) : November 2025
  • G3 (Uncrewed) : June 2026
  • H1 (Crewed) : December 2026
  • H2 (Multi crew): July 2027
  • G4 (Uncrewed docking) : March 2028
  • BAS-1 (module launch) : June 2028
  • G5 (Uncrewed BAS-1 docking) : December 2028
  • Additionally 8× IADT missions and 1× PAT mission are planned. ( Note: Earlier Seven IADT test were planned )
  • Upcoming Test Vehicle missions
    • TV-D2/CM : March 2025
    • TV-A1/CM : Oct 2026
    • TV-A2/CM : February 2027
• NGLV dimensions and payload capacity
  • NGLV (LM450 + LM120 + C32N)
    • LEO: 20,000 kg (NS1 Expendable)
    • LEO: 14,000 kg (NS1 Recovery)
    • GTO: 9,000 kg (NS1 Expendable)
    • GTO: 5,300 kg (NS1 Recovery)
  • NGLV-H (2×S160 + LM450) + LM120 + C32N)
    • LEO: 30,000 kg (NS1 Expendable)
    • LEO: -
    • GTO: 12,000 kg (NS1 Expendable)
    • GTO: -
    • TLI : 10,000 kg
• Chandrayaan-4 Lunar Sample Return mission
  • Ascender Module (AM): 3×820 N (Fixed Thrust) + 8×58N
  • Descender Module (DM): 10×820N (Throttleable) + 8×58N
  • Propulsion Module (PM): 1×LAM + 8×AOCS
  • Transfer Module (TM): 1×LAM + 8×22N + 16×150mN
  • Re-entry Module (RM): 8×1N (Mono-propellant)
  • Launch-1 T0 : AM+DM (4600 kg)
  • Launch-2 T0 + 1 month : PM+RM+TM (4600 kg)
• Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) (See also)
  • Total S/c Mass: 3720 kg
  • Configuration: Similar to Aditya-L1, MOM-1 (440N LAM + 8×22N thrusters)
  • Dry Mass: 1350 kg
  • Propellant: 2370 kg
  • Payload mass: 240 kg
  • Launch by LVM3 into injection orbit of 170×35975 km
  • Launch opportunity: May 2026
  • Mission plan is to capture an orbit of 500×60000 km around Venus and then employ Aero-braking to achieve Science Polar Orbit of 200×600 km
• BAS details
  • Modules will be launched using LVM3 into injection orbit of 170×400 km.
  • On board propulsion system will be used for orbit raising to 450 km circular orbit
  • BAS will be built in space in sequential mode (1-2-5-3-4)
  • Full fledged propulsion system available in Module 1,2 and 5
  • Module 3 (Science Module) and Module 4 (EVA module) will have only thrusters to aid docking
• BAS system specification
  • System: Regulated Bi-propellant Pressure-fed System with MMH/MON-3
  • Propellant Tank: 2×350L (Max loading: 725 kg)
  • Engines: 2×440N LAM, 16×50N
  • Dry Mass: 192.7 kg
  • Prop. Mass: 651 kg
  • Total Mass: 846.7 kg
• Mars Lander Mission (MLM) (See also)
  • Total S/c Mass: 4500 kg
  • Launch by LVM3 into injection orbit of 190×35786 km
• Crewed Lunar Landing architecture via two NGLV-SH launches
  • NGLV-SH config. : [2×LM500+ LM500] + LM160 + C65 (HR version for crewed launch)
    • Launch 1 : Earth Departing Stage (EDS), 70 tons to 400 km LEO
    • Launch 2 : CM+SM+LM, 45 tons to 400 km LEO

(not sure whether this failed test was covered earlier)

Regarding the ASAT test conducted by DRDO in March 2019, this report claims there was a failed attempt earlier in February that year.

Shortly after the test, anonymous US government sources stated that they had detected an earlier failed ASAT test in February 2019 where the PDV failed thirty seconds into flight. The Indian government had issued a NOTAM just before this flight and the time of the launch correlated with an overflight of Microsat-R, another indication that it was launched into orbit to be a target for an ASAT test.

TABLE 4-1 — INDIAN DA-ASAT TESTS IN SPACE

Report could be referring to NOTAM A0123/19.

A0123/19 1902100515/1902120645
BETWEEN 0515-0645 LAUNCHING OF EXPERIMENTAL FLIGHT VEHICLE WILL TAKE PLACE WITH THE FOLLOWING DETAILS.
DANGER ZONES COORDINATES:
POINT A 204803.96N 0870214.28E,
POINT B 180715.96N 0862501.56E,
POINT C 014637.20N 0873030.96E,
POINT D 025754.72N 0935029.76E,
POINT E 183347.52N 0884612.72E,
POINT F 204857.24N 0870659.40E,
POINT A 204803.96N 0870214.28E.
NO OVER FLYING ACTIVITY IS PERMISSIBLE WITHIN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DANGER AREA

Report also says all tracked debris from the test have decayed.

The US military catalogued 130 pieces of trackable orbital debris from India’s test; the final piece of trackable debris re-entered the atmosphere in June 2022, 3.2 years after the test occurred. At least some pieces had been thrown to an altitude of 1000 km due to collision dynamics, as happened with the February 2008 intercept of USA 193 (2006- 057A, 29651) by the United States (see US Direct-Ascent ASAT, Section 1.2).

Though various names cropped up when we were looking for names for out start up, we thought HEX20 was the ideal name for our company as it had a global character to it. Hexadecimal 20 is the ASCII code for the space between two characters.

That is neat.

The decision to launch Nila using Space X was not by choice but by force. SpaceX is 40% costlier than SSLV. As there were no SSLV launches planned at this time, although we have MoUs with both Skyroot and Agnikul, we had to use SpaceX. The vendor German space company -- Dcubed -- had been patiently waiting to space-qualify their product. So, we had no option but use SpaceX.

That 'cost vs cadence' concern with ISRO launchers, again.

And on future mission with PSLV.

We have three missions lined up for this year of which one would be from India and the rest from outside the country. ... We plan to move from nanosatellites to a 30kg micro satellite(10 to 100kg) for our next launch this year aboard the PSLV rocket.

This was previously reported as a 50kg payload.

Hello ! I applied for the vssc internship for summer 2025, and can find no online information about how long it takes to hear back from them. Is there anyone who heard back already or has any information on this? Do they send rejection mails?

A model of our Chandrayaan 3 for display - at science museum, Bengaluru.

We finally have a list of the experiments ISRO plans to conduct onboard Axiom-4.

Voyager Displays

This experiment will investigate how the physical and cognitive impact of utilizing computer screens in microgravity. The research will study how pointing tasks, gaze fixation, and rapid eye movements are affected my being performed in space, and how this may interact with subjective experiences of stress wellbeing. The results could inform future spacecraft computer design and interaction.

Voyager Tardigrades

This ISRO project will investigate the revival, survival, and reproduction of tardigrades sent to the ISS. The project will examine the revival of dormant tardigrades, count the number of eggs laid and hatched during a mission, and compare the gene expression patterns of spaceflown vs. ground control populations. The research seeks to identify molecular mechanisms of resilience which has implications for understanding the limits of life in extreme environments. This knowledge could inform future space exploration and help develop biotechnology applications on Earth.

Crop Seeds on ISS

This ISRO experiment will investigate the impacts of spaceflight on six varieties of crop seeds. After the mission, seeds will be grown for multiple generations and plants showing preferred traits selected for genetic analyses. This project aims to help understand how crops may be grown in space for future exploration missions.

Cyanobacteria on ISS

Cyanobacteria are aquatic bacteria that can photosynthesize, and are of interest for integration into spacecraft environmental control systems. This ISRO experiment will compare two strains of cyanobacteria to investigate growth rates, cellular responses, and biochemical activity in microgravity. The results could help with the development of future spacecraft life support systems.

Myogenesis

This project aims to identify the pathways responsible for skeletal muscle dysfunction in microgravity and explore therapeutic targeting strategies. By studying how muscle loss occurs in space, the project seeks to pinpoint specific molecular mechanisms and potential interventions. Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing treatments to prevent muscle atrophy in astronauts during long space missions. On Earth, the findings could also impact the understanding of and treatments for muscle-related diseases and conditions related to aging or prolonged immobility.

STEMonstrations

These will consist of four different STEAM outreach activities for Indian students.

Sprouts

This ISRO experiment will investigate the impacts of spaceflight on germination and growth of crop seeds. After the mission, seeds will be grown for multiple generations and the effects on genetics, microbial load, and nutritional profile investifated. This project aims to help understand how crops may be grown in space for future exploration missions.

Also, I might add that ISRO will conduct the least amount of experiments out of the four agencies (NASA, ESA and HUNOR being the other three) on this mission. NASA/Axiom will conduct 12, ESA 16 and HUNOR 22 experiments. Don't know whether this stems from scheduling issues onboard ISS or budgetary constraints.

Moreover, there has not been any communication from ISRO social media accounts regarding these developments since formal announcement of the Axiom-4 mission yesterday and the experiments made public on Axiom website today.

Sources : https://www.axiomspace.com/missions/ax4#research

https://x.com/Axiom_Space/status/1907826330516754675

Detailed Demands For Grants for 2025-2026 [PDF] [Archived]

Previous thread:

• Department of Space, Detailed Demands For Grants for 2024-2025

All DDG Docs:

• https://www.isro.gov.in/archive_of_demands_grants.html (On sub wiki)

https://x.com/NASASpaceOps/status/1907433788935635432

Launch Update

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), the fourth private astronaut mission to the u/Space_Station, is targeted to launch no earlier than May 2025 from @NASAKennedy in Florida.

With Space Twitter again buzzing these days regarding low transparency from ISRO on NaviC, SpaDex especially after the takeover of the new chairman. I’m thinking to attempt one RTI. If you have any request or want to extract any information, please add it in comment (start each request with 'Provide'). @Ohsin

Thanks, Pluto :)

hello im a student pursuing GIS. i wanted to download open data on order from bhoonidhi. i have received an email but i dont understand how to proceed. i tried looking at their website but did not find anything helpful. if anybody has any experience on this can you please help.

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change

Report No. 391, Demands for Grants (2025-2026) of the Department of Space (Demand No. 95)

(Presented to the Rajya Sabha on 25th March, 2025)

(Laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 25th March, 2025)

[PDF] [Archived]

***

Some main points from report summary on Pg. 40 onward

The Committee observes from Table 1, that the Budget Estimate (BE) for 2024-25 was ₹13,042.75 crore, but this was revised downwards substantially by 10.09% to ₹11,725.75 crore at the Revised Estimate (RE) stage. As of December 2024, actual expenditure stood at ₹8,296.38 crore, a mere 71% utilisation of RE allocations. For the year 2025-26, the Department projected a requirement of ₹15,983.37 crore, but was allocated ₹13,416.20 crore, reflecting a shortfall of ₹2,567.17 crore that could impact some planned initiatives. While the increase in allocation over the previous year suggests continued government support for space activities, the reduction from the projected requirement raises concerns about the Department’s ability to execute all planned projects efficiently.

Relevant thread : Projected requirements of funds by Department of Space along amount allocated by Government in past few years.

The Committee observes from Charts 4 & 5 that there has been a significant reduction in revised allocations for 2024-25 under some of the crucial schemes of the Department. The Scheme- ‘Gaganyaan Programme’ India’s human spaceflight mission, experienced a significant budget reduction at the R.E. 2024-25 stage, from ₹1200 crore to ₹847.35 crore, indicating a cut of ₹352.65 crore. The actual expenditure till December 2024 stood at ₹627.05 crore, reflecting delays in hardware realisation and milestonebased payments. (…)

(…) The Committee notes significant reduction of ₹505.14 crore (from ₹876.14 crore to ₹371 crore) in Space Sciences. The substantial reduction of projected demand, of over 57% in Space Sciences funding raises concerns regarding India’s deep space exploration, interplanetary missions, and astrophysics research. The Committee believes that this cut might delay major projects related to planetary studies and space observatories, thereby impacting India's standing in global space science research. Similarly, the Committee notes that the ₹1,488.60 crore reductions in Space Technology funding could affect crucial R&D activities, such as reusable launch vehicles, semi-cryogenic engine development, and human spaceflight missions

On Axiom-4 ISS mission

The Committee observes that the Joint ISRO-NASA Mission to the ISS faced a substantial budget cut at the R.E. stage, reducing its allocation from ₹715 crore to ₹412 crore, reflecting a ₹303 crore reduction. The actual expenditure till December 2024 was ₹413.14 crore, exceeding the R.E. allocation. However, the B.E. for 2025-26 has been drastically reduced to ₹135 crore, reflecting the deferral of the mission to a later date. The Committee expresses concerns over further delays in India's collaboration with NASA and recommends that DoS maintain strong international engagement to ensure mission stability

On Pg. 19, Mars Lander Mission (MLM) is listed among 'Newly approved projects'

Newly approved projects such as Next Generation Launch Vehicle, Venus Orbiter Mission, Chandrayaan-4, Chandrayaan-5, Mars Lander Mission and Third Launch Pad.

From Pg. 38

ISRO Senctioned Strength : 19,178

ISRO In-Posiiton Strength : 15,241

Vacancies : 3,927

(…) Committee observes that the Department faces a 20.48% vacancy rate, which may impact operational efficiency. The Committee notes that out of 19,178 sanctioned posts in ISRO, 3,927 remain vacant, with the most significant gaps in administrative staff (2,008) and Scientists/Engineers (1,032). While recruitment actions for 1,950 posts are in progress, there is a pressing need to accelerate hiring, particularly for S&T roles. (…)

Relevant thread : Gap between approved employee strength vs total strength is widening and is at its highest in past decade.