O c t o b e r 4 – 1 0 , 2 0 1 8

Space Unites the World Resource Material

VSSC, LP SC, I ISU Thiruvananthapuram

World Space Week

World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and its contribution to the betterment of the human condition. Since its declaration in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly, World Space Week is celebrated each year during 4 to 10 October. These dates commemorate two events:

o October 4, 1957: Launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, thus opening the way for space exploration

o October 10, 1967: The signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

World Space Week consists of a myriad of space-related events held by space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, planetariums, museums, and astronomy clubs in a common timeframe to achieve synchronized impact of greater student and public communities.

World Space Week Association

World Space Week Association (WSWA) is the global coordinator of World Space Week. WSWA is an international non-government, non-profit organization incorporated in the United States in 1982. It is led by a Board comprised of global space leaders and dignitaries, an executive team that manages operations, and volunteers that support them. The Association is permanent observer on the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and is supported by voluntary contributions of sponsors including Lockheed Martin, an American global aerospace, defense, security and advanced technologies company with worldwide interests.

World Space Week 2018

World Space Week, October 4-10, 2018 aims at highlighting the role of space in bringing the world close together, following the theme “Space Unites the World” of this year as declared by UN and announced by World Space Week Association (WSWA) at Houstonon December 12, 2017. The theme is inspired by UNISPACE+50, a historic gathering of world space leaders, to promote cooperation between spacefaring and emerging space nations and help space exploration activities open and inclusive on a global scale.

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SPACE UNITES THE WORLD Reaching for the heavenly bodies such as stars, planets, natural satellites, asteroids,

comet, the Moon or the Sun is a dream of humans from ancient times. Significant progress made in the last few decades in space technology and space exploration has opened up a new frontier of amazing innovations in engineering, technology and science, promoting the unity and interconnectedness of humanity for social empowerment and our future. More importantly, global space explorations have expanded the envelope of human knowledge and changed the perspective on our individual and collective existence in the Universe.

“Space exploration satisfies the curiosity and always inspires the people around the world”

In global arena, the common objectives of space explorations are providing unique platforms for global unity and international cooperation to achieve larger scientific goals. As there is no nationally owned sector of space, it is all shared and hence the responsibility of space exploration is global. The International Space Station is a monument of the success story on international cooperation continues to contribute to significant benefits to society. In the current scenario, space exploration is considered as the next era of human development and new means to address global challenges. The challenges, in turn, broaden the scientific and technological knowledge leading to better understanding of the Universe and the solar system in which we live.

Satellite sees brighten cities, but no national boundaries

Seeing earth from space: an astronauts view, creates feelings of awe and willingness to volunteer to help others

Through space exploration, humanity will find another part of the Universe. In fact, because of the human tendency of exploring the new, the Europeans crossed Atlantic and explored Americas, five hundred years ago and discovered another part of the world. Similarly, since the beginning of outer space exploration, humanity has become more connected as a species sharing the great planet, rather than people divided by borders and ethnicity. The view of Earth from space unites humans in a way that nothing else can. It reminds of the planet that we all share and the many things which are in common, not the one separates. This is the fragility and beauty of the earth without national boundaries, as seen in the “Earth rise” photograph from the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, raising awareness of the need for global solutions to environmental challenges. From outer space, Earth seems so insignificant compared to the vastness of the galaxy. While realising the magnificence and the magnitude of the unexplored universe, the problems on Earth seems less significant. In addition, space holds answers to many of these problems. For example, while the human society on earth is running out of resources, space holds infinite resources. Deeper exploration of outer space will make humans more united and will try to evolve into a better society. Energy from the Sun or fuels from other planets could become new sources of energy. Centuries ago, European sailors risked their lives to explore the unknown. The current society may have to do the same in outer space to explore the new world for the future. Although travelling into space is risky, one day it will be as safe as crossing the Atlantic is today.

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The search for

another earth in the universe

unites the world,

as the universe sees me

as one to find another earth …

SPACE EXPLORATION A JOINT VENTURE Space exploration is the discovery and exploration of celestial structures in outer

space by means of space technology. Every space exploration brings to the entire world a wealth of new information and knowledge about the universe that includes solar system, planets, our own Earth, satellites etc. The knowledge that is shared across the world, instill curiosity and motivates the world to embark jointly on further exploration for the betterment of the mankind irrespective of region, language or other barriers.

One among the various examples of joint space explorations include the successful Chandrayaan-1 mission to the Moon. The mission has revealed the presence of water on the Moon, while giving a boost to think of using Moon as a possible destination for human colonization in future. Further, the knowledge that there are some regions on the Moon which are protected from harsh space environment (an umbrella known as mini-magnetosphere), has provided idea on better sites for human base. Similarly, the Cassini mission to Saturn and its moons has shown the presence of complex organic molecules in Titan, a natural satellite of Saturn, indicating the possibility of signs of life outside our Earth. Thus, the missions to moon and other planets have opened up the road map of future joint space missions for exploring the space for human utility.

There are several other examples that the explorations have given us hints either about the presence of water on other planetary bodies or about the probability of a livable atmosphere for human other than the Earth.

From Hubble Space Telescope (HST), a possible water vapor plumes erupting off the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa have been found. Estimates shows that Europa has a huge global ocean containing twice as much water as Earth’s oceans, but it is protected by a layer of extremely cold and hard ice of unknown thickness.

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Trend of increasing water content (color bar) toward the poles of Moon. The yellow dots mark the Apollo landing sites

Image credit: Brown University, USA, https://news. brown.edu/ articles/2017/09/moonwater

Is moon Habitable

The future mission "JUpiterICy moons Explorer (JUICE)" will make more detailed observations on Jupiter, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa. In 2005, the Cassini orbiter also has detected jets of water vapor and dust spewing off the surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus.

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Cartoon illustrating how different organic compounds make their way to the seas and lakes on Titan, the largest moon of Saturn

(Courtesy: https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/jpl/pia20026 /organic-compounds-in-titan-s-seas-and-lakes)

The image showing the suspected plumes of water vapor erupting off the limb of Europa, from HST. The plumes features were captured by Hubble even as rising over 160 kilometers above Europa’s icy surface. The water is believed to come from a subsurface ocean on Europa. The image of Europa, superimposed on the Hubble data, is assembled from data from the Galileo and Voyager missions

(https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-hubble-spots-possible-water-plumes-erupting-on-jupiters-moon-europa)

THE MARS MISSIONS HAVE PROVIDED VITAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ATMOSPHERE OF MARS

Recent Mars explorations such as Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) and Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) has provided significant information on the atmosphere of Mars, such as how the concentration of different atoms/ molecules vary with height above the Mars surface, and also on how the mars atmosphere has been stripped away by the sun and the solar wind over time, changing the climate from a warmer and wetter environment early in history to the cold, dry climate that we see today. Also, the curiosity rover has shown that ancient Mars had the right chemistry to support living microbes.

Mars is considered as a potential site for future human inhabitation and there are plans for terraforming of Mars in future, where the surface and climate of Mars would be deliberately changed to make large areas of the environment hospitable to humans, thus making the colonization of Mars safer and sustainable.

NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars June 15, 2018: A dust storm has reduced sunlight and visibility at the location of the rover in the Gale Crater (https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/curiosity-photos-show-martian-dust-storm-growing).

Stepping stones to Colonizing Mars

Close to the outer edges of our solar system lies the dwarf planet Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, a belt containing several ice covered small bodies those are basically remnants from the formation of solar system. New Horizon, launched in January 19, 2006 is the first mission to the Pluto System and the Kuiper Belt and had closest approach of Pluto on June 14, 2006. The observations have shown numerous small, exposed regions of water ice on Pluto. Also, the 1000 km wide nitrogen glacier discovered on Pluto is the largest known glacier in the solar system.

BEYOND THE SOLAR SYSTEM Our parent star Sun not only produces radiation, but also generates stream of particles that carry charge. This stream is known as solar wind. The solar wind creates a bubble that extends far past the orbit of Pluto. This bubble is the heliosphere, the boundary of which (heliopause) separates the solar wind and the interstellar medium. Knowledge of the heliosphere is important to better understand the fundamental physics of the space surrounding us - which, in turn, provides information regarding space throughout the rest of the universe, as well as regarding what makes planets habitable. Voyager was a twin spacecraft mission for the exploration of Jupiter and Saturn, and then extended beyond to study the outer edges of solar system. In August 2012 Voyager 1 made the historic entry into interstellar space crossing the heliopause. Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to enter interstellar space. Discoveries include presence of active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io and intricacies of Saturn's rings, substantial magnetic field around the Uranus and 10 additional moons, and three complete rings of Neptune and six new moons as well as a planetary magnetic field and complex, widely distributed auroras.

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Artist’s concept showing the general locations of NASA’s two Voyager spacecraft. Voyager 1 (top) has sailed beyond our solar bubble into interstellar space, the space between stars. Its environment still feels the solar influence. Voyager 2 (bottom) is currently in the "Heliosheath" - the outermost layer of the heliosphere where the solar wind is slowed by the pressure of interstellar gas.

Exploring water ice

on dwarf planet New Horizon exposed water ice on Pluto (regions highlighted in blue color; Credits: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI; https://www.nasa.gov/nh/nh-finds-blue-skies-and-water-ice-on-pluto)

Voyagers sailed in interstellar space

EXPLORING THE EXOPLANETS In our solar system, the planets move around the star called ‘Sun’. Similarly, there are

several other planets which move around their parent star. Such planets are exoplanets and the system is called exoplanetary system. Detection and study of exoplanets provide an answer to the human curiosity about existence of a world similar to ours outside the solar system. Due to the bright parents star and the large distance, the exoplanets are difficult to image directly. Hence indirect methods are used to study exoplanets. Recent observations from the Kepler space observatory has revolutionized the knowledge on the exoplanets with a total of ~5311 candidate exoplanets with ~2974 confirmed planets.

The habitable zone is the distance from a star where one can have liquid water on the surface of a planet. If a planet is too close to its parent star, it will be too hot and water would have evaporated. If a planet is too far from a star it is too cold and water is frozen. Stars come in a wide variety of sizes, masses and temperatures. Stars that are smaller, cooler and lower mass than the Sun have their habitable zone much closer to the star than the Sun. Stars that are larger, hotter ad more massive than the Sun have their habitable zone much farther out from the star. Earth happens to be in the habitable zone of Sun. There are several exoplanets which are found within the habitable zone of their parent star like Kepler-47. Inspired by these findings, there are several exoplanet explorations planned in future across the world.

Using the “PRL Advance Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search” (PARAS) spectrograph (integrated with 1.2m Telescope), India also has joined in the exoplanet exploration and have found a sub-Saturn or super-Neptune size planet (mass of about 27 Earth Mass and size of 6 Earth Radii) around a Sun-like star. The planet goes around the star in about 19.5days. The host star itself is about 600 light years away from the Earth. The planet will be known as EPIC 211945201b or K2-236b.

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Illustration of habitable zone of a hot star, Sun like star and Cooler star. The green shaded

region represents the habitable zone, the red region represent hot region close to

the star, and the light blue shaded region represents the

cold region away from the star (https://www.nasa.gov/

ames/kepler/habitable-zones-of-different-stars)

W a n d e r i n g i n t h e v o i d i n s e a r c h o f h a b i t a b l e e x o p l a n e t

For all the successful space and planetary explorations as mentioned above, several nations join hands and put collective efforts. The popular missions like Chandrayaan-1, Cassini, Bepicolombo, Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to name a few. The satellites WIND, SOHO, GEOTAIL, SOHO, CLUSTER are launched as a part of International Solar Terrestrial Physics program. The space explorations thus play a significant role in uniting the world. As we infer more knowledge about our own solar system and about the universe, we get to know more about our existence on this vast universe and about several other habitable worlds, thus urging the need of broaden the scientific and technological knowledge in future.

TECHNOLOGY TO ACCESS SPACE The most critical part of the space exploration or its application is the technology to access the space. A launch vehicle or carrier rocket is required to carry the satellite or the space module from Earth’s surface through outer space into Earth’s orbit or beyond. To date, there are only 9 countries having the ability to build and launch an orbit capable vehicle - Russia, United States, France, Japan, China, India, Israel, Iran and North Korea. A few other countries have inherited technology allowing them to make orbital flights. These include Ukraine and South Korea, and nine European countries who have access through the combined effort of European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace. Cooperation and unity across the globe is clearly visible in launch vehicle scenario with sharing of technological expertise, formation of Joint ventures, management of ISS, sharing of common launch vehicles/ pedestals, to mention a few. Space exploration and habitation of other planets is the future for mankind which necessarily leads to unity across the globe and sharing and caring in the field of rocketry and beyond.

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PARAS

the search for EXOPLANETS WHAT ASTRONOMERS KNOW

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There are different classes of launch vehicle exist based on launch sites, the amount of mass they can carry into a particular orbit and target orbits to meet various requirement in space. The most common classes are small lift launch vehicles [2000 kg of payload into low earth orbit (LEO, earth centred orbit)], medium lift launch vehicle (between 2000 kg to 20000 kg of payload into LEO) and heavy lift launch vehicle (20000 kg to around 60000 kg of payload into LEO).

Some of the popular launch vehicles currently used around the globe are - Antares from OSC (US), Soyuz (Russia), Ariane5 from ESA, Atlas V and Delta IV from ULA, Long March7(LM7) of China, HII-B of Japan, Falcon series (9 & Heavy) from SpaceX, along with our own PSLV, GSLV and GSLV mK3. The recent advancements made are breath taking with very high payload capacities and technical capabilities like retrieving the spent stage at launch pedestal.

Soyuz (Russian) is one of the most frequently used expendable medium lift launch

vehicle in the world with over 1700 flights since 1966 and are being used to launch the crewed and un-crewed space craft to the International Space Station.

Currently active few launch vehicles across the globe for Space exploration

Assembling the rocket : a view of PSLV under configuration in ISRO laboratory

PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is another expendable medium lift launch vehicle developed and operated by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) with a capability to launch satellites into both sun-synchronous orbits and geo-stationary transfer orbit.

PSLV also has the capability to launch multiple satellite into sun synchronous orbit and is holding the record or launching most number of satellites (104 satellites) in which 101 were foreign satellites with international partners USA (96); The Netherlands (1), Switzerland (1), Israel (1), Kazakhstan (1) and UAE (1). As on April 2018, 237 foreign satellites were launched by PSLV alone. PSLV has launched spacecrafts for several unique space exploration missions such as Chandrayaan -1 (India’s first Lunar mission), Mars Orbiter Mission (India’s first inter-planetary mission) and Astrosat (India’s first space observatory).

GSLV, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle was developed by ISRO with an increased payload capability of 2.5 Tons into GTO. GSLV MKIII (LVM3), the heaviest launch vehicle of ISRO in terms of weight and payload capability (4 Tons to GTO) is planned to be used for ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 mission and is a definite candidate for ISRO’s future space exploration programs.

As on today, the Ariane 5, the Proton-M and the Delta IV Heavy are the most commonly used heavy lift operational launch vehicle used extensively by international community. A proton (Russian) rocket is capable to carry 22.8 tonnes to LEO and 6.3 tonnes to Geo-stationary transfer orbit (GTO, highly elliptical earth orbit). Similarly, both Ariane 5 and Delta IV can carry ~ 21 tonnes of payload to LEO. Further, Ariane 5 can carry ~ 10 tonnes to GTO and ~ 6 tonnes to Sun-Earth L2 point, beyond GTO. We have also used Ariane rockets for launching our indigenously developed communication satellites to GTO. The Falcon Heavy of SpaceX can launch as much as 63.8 metric tons to LEO.

Most of the launch vehicles are expendable and destroyed or abandoned during the flight. However, the development of reusable launch systems is in progress to reduce the launch cost where part of the launch vehicle is recovered and re-used for another flight.

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The Soyuz The PSLV The Proton

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SpaceX has developed a reusable rocket launching system to successfully bring back a part - the first stage of their Falcon 9 and launch it again. Space shuttle was a partially reusable spacecraft system operated by NASA, which included the orbiter vehicle (spaceplane component), recoverable solid rocket boosters and expendable external tank containing liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Space Shuttle missions had critical role in many important space exploration programs like launch and service of Hubble along with interplanetary programs like Magellan, Galileo and Ulysses.

In line with developing reusable launch vehicles (RLV), ISRO has developed and demonstrated the technological capability for its RLV.

ISRO-RLV for future space exploration

The space shuttle Discovery blasting off from its launch pad

Years of inhabiting in space : International space station

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PROPULSIONS For the launch vehicle or

satellite to propel forward, a forward thrust has to be generated by reaction of ejection of high velocity combustion gases, through burning of fuel. Based on the type of fuel used propulsion system are classified. Commonly used fuels/ propellant systems are solid, liquid, cryogenic, semi cryogenic. ISRO has mastered solid, liquid and cryogenic propulsions and is being extensively used in the launch vehicle and satellite applications. Developments in the field of semi-cryo are also being carried out by ISRO. Research and developments are also being carried out in the field of electric and nuclear propulsions for low thrust applications like control thrusters.

ISRO is capable of the design, development and system engineering of high performance Space Propulsion Systems employing Earth Storable and Cryogenic Propellants for ISRO's Launch Vehicles and Satellites. Development of fluid control valves, transducers, propellant management devices and other key components of Liquid Propulsion Systems are also under the purview of ISRO.

In this direction, design & realization of propulsion systems, integration of spacecraft propulsion systems for remote sensing and communication satellites, development and production of transducers / sensors are other major activities at ISRO. Fabrication of launch vehicle stage tanks and structure is also coordinated and indigenously managed.

INERTIAL NAVIGATION For the successful completion

of any scientific mission, the inertial navigation is another inevitable tool along with the launch vehicle and spacecraft technology. In this direction, ISRO has crossed major milestones of competence building phase, experimental phase and is presently engaged in the process of consolidation and productionisation of the sensors, systems, actuators and mechanisms for a variety of launch vehicle and spacecraft applications. Currently ISRO's effort is to venture into the international space market by supplying Inertial Actuators and Solar Array Drive Mechanisms to prospective customers. The experience and knowledge gained over the years are used for perfecting the present class of sensors and systems to strive the systems cost effective, reliable and realizable in tune with global trends.

An example of inertial navigation package

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Every stride beyond the earth’s atmosphere to outer Space is beyond any nation’s

interest and has global relevance. In the current global economic scenario, it would be very challenging for any single nation to sustain space-science program independently. International cooperation in the field of Space research and Technology would considerably bring down the cost factor for individual nations. In addition, it enhances diplomatic prestige and provides more consistency in political decisions pertaining to this field.

Globally the idea of mutual cooperation between nations in the field of space was considered as early as 70’s, but the past few decades, have witnessed an upsurge in such activities. Some examples, are as given below:

United States and Russia, once fierce competitors during cold war period, has moved a long way ahead together in the field of space operations. ISS by itself, stands out as the epitome of international cooperation in space with five different space agencies from US, Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe (15 countries in total) around the world as partners. It is one of the most complicated space programs undertaken considering the technical and managerial complications involved.

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Space Uni tes the Wor ld

The Russian work-horse rocket, Soyuz, is being employed for transport of all crews, across all participating countries, to and from International Space Station. The Soyuz rocket is the workhorse for Russian human space missions and has been used for that purpose longer than any other vehicle. Soyuz is the most renowned family of Russian launchers that began the space race more than 50 years ago.

ESA and Russia have continuous and stable understanding and partnership for long term access to space. Russian Soyuz launchers are being continuously employed by ESA for their space missions. Even a newer version Soyuz launcher known as Soyuz -2 or Soyuz –ST was developed to use Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana as a launch base.

JAXA and NASA had been co-operating from initial years of active space related activities. JAXA had been employing N-I rocket, three-stage launch vehicle using the U.S "Thor-Delta Rockets" technology apart from that they had been actively cooperating in the ISS activities, earth observation and scientific satellite missions.

JAXA also cooperates with Europe for various space operations; for e.g. JAXA established a Mobile Tracking and Data Acquisition Station in Kiruna, Sweden. With Russia, JAXA jointly conducted experiments at MIR, Russian Space Station, while JAXA has increased its major cooperative partners in the Asia-Pacific region like India from remote sensing areas to the fields of communication, positioning, space science.

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LAUNCH VEHICLES TODAY, ARE CONCEIVED AND

MANUFACTURED CONSIDERING THE ADAPTABILITY TO

VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

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India, was one of the earliest nations to realize the importance of space research program on international cooperation. In fact, the inception of ISRO through establishment of Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) was an outcome of International Cooperation. In 1962, Scientific and Technical sub-committee of UN Committee on peaceful use of outer space and COSPAR (COmmittee for SPace Research) urged the creation of an International Equatorial Sounding Rocket Launching Facility. But there was dearth in the world coverage of sounding rocket sites. At the same time, there was specific interest on magnetic equator due to its high significance in the investigation of earth’s magnetic field and ionosphere. TERLS is practically on the magnetic equator and hence was selected as an ideal site. Thumba began its operation with the launch of Nike Apache, a two stage US sounding rocket, on 21st November,1963 marking the beginning of modern Rocketry in India.

Apart from Rohini Sounding rockets, developed and still being launched from India, various foreign rockets were launched from TERLS - namely M100 from USSR, Nike-Tomahawk, Arecas and Judi Draft from US, Centaur and Dragon from France, Suke and Petral from UK- are a few to mention. On the other hand, the conduct of Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) and Satellite Telecommunication Experiment Project (STEP), the launches of Aryabhata, Bhaskara, Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE), IRS-IA, IRS-IB satellites, INSAT series of satellites, Mission to Moon, etc., have showcased components of international cooperation. During initial years, ISRO's strategic partnerships with other leading space fairing nations helped to understand and indigenize certain facets of complicated space technology. Considering steady evolution of ISRO and the tremendous progress in recent times, India is being viewed by space faring nations as an emerging space power capable of achieving its goals in a more cost effective and time-efficient manner. Specifically, the developing countries look to India for assistance in building up their capabilities to derive benefits of space technology. The three most important science missions conducted by ISRO in the international scenario are: Chandrayaan-1 lunar probe in 2008 Mangalyaan-1 mission to Mars in 2014 Launch of SAARC Satellite in May 2017

The beginning of space exploration in India

Nike Apache took off

from TERLS on

21 Nov, 1963

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All the three missions by itself set quite a milestone for a space-program from developing nations to attain. What is particularly important to note is the kind of unique science these missions were able to extract using science payloads from ISRO’s international partners. In Chandrayaan-1, there were 6 scientific payloads from international scientific community which includes NASA, ESA and the Bulgarian Space Academy.

The launch of Mars Orbiter Mission, Mangalyaan-1, was carried from India in November of 2013. Prior to the launch, ISRO had an agreement with NASA to utilize the Deep Space Network Facilities to monitor the probe after the launch. However, during the same time there was a government shutdown in the US. In a rare symbolic gesture to promote science, NASA and JPL reaffirmed their support to ISRO and monitored the launch even during shutdown.

Yet another marvellous example of International Cooperation in Space was show-cased by ISRO through the successful launch of SAARC satellite through GSLV-F09 mission in May 2017, which was a historic moment as it opened up new horizons of engagement with neighbouring countries of India.

Some of the other notable joint ventures are the Indo-French joint satellite mission called MEGHA-TROPIQUES (in 2011) for the study of the tropical atmosphere and climate related to aspects such as monsoons, cyclones, etc. Another joint mission with France, named SARAL (Satellite for ALTIKA and ARGOS), took place in 2013 for studying ocean from space using altimetry.

Formal cooperative arrangements in the form of either Agreements or Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) or Framework Agreements have been signed by India with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), European Space Agency (ESA), France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The Netherlands, Ukraine, UK, USA and Venezuela.

In the near future, joint operations are much warranted in grey areas like space life sciences research, while continuing the cooperation on space exploration, through space based communication technologies in bringing the globe together, as well as climatic and atmospheric studies for the betterment of the global humanity.

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ISRO satellite for connecting the SAARC countries; testing of GSAT-9 in lab

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SPACE BASED COMMUNICATION Space based technologies, namely communication satellites enable global

telecommunication systems by relying signals with voice, video and data to and from one or many locations, bringing people together and closer to each other. Today, satellite based communication play a vital role in the global telecommunication system, operating through approximately 2,000 artificial satellites orbiting Earth to relay analog and digital signals. After the 1990s, satellite communication technology has been used as a means of Internet via broadband data connections. This made the access of broadband connection from remote areas helping users to connect to the rest of the world.

The history of telecommunication (the transmission of signals over a distance for the purpose of communication) began thousands of years ago with the use of smoke signals and drums in Africa, America and parts of Asia. Joseph Henry and by Samuel F.B. Morse demonstrated the electrical telegraphy in 1832, shortly after the discovery of electromagnetism by Hans Christian Oersted and Andre-Marie Ampere early in the 1820's. The first transatlantic cable was laid in 1858. In 1864, James Clerk Maxwell postulated wireless propagation, which was verified and demonstrated by Heinrich Hertz in 1880 and 1887, respectively. Marconi and Popov started experiments with the radio-telegraph shortly thereafter, and Marconi patented a complete wireless system in 1897.

Nearly after half a decade of Marconi's invention, the world's first active communications satellite, Telstar 1, was launched in 1962. During its seven months of operation, Telstar 1 dazzled the world with live images of sports, entertainment and news. It was a simple single-transponder low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite, but its technology of receiving radio signals from the ground, and then amplifying and retransmitting them over a large portion of the earth's surface, set the standard for all communications satellites that followed.

In India, utilization of satellite communication has become wide spread and ubiquitous throughout the country for the diverse applications like Television, Direct to Home (DTH) Broadcasting, Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) to exploit the unique capabilities in terms of coverage and outreach. The technology has matured substantially over past three decades and is being used on commercial basis for a large number of applications. Thus, most of us are touched by satellite communication in several ways than we realise. INSAT satellites have been traditionally supporting telecommunication applications for providing voice and data communications, providing connectivity to remote and far-flung regions of the country and backing up links for large number of terrestrial connectivity in the mainland.

Today satellite communication systems are used even in News Gathering and dissemination. For example, INSAT system enables on-the-spot real-time news coverage and important events at different locations for transmission to a Central Station at Delhi or to State Capitals for rebroadcast over respective Doordarshan (DD) channels. Doordarshan is a major user of INSAT satellites for providing television services over the country. At present, 33 Doordarshan TV channels are operating through C-band transponders of INSAT-3A, INSAT-3C, and INSAT-4B. All of the Satellite TV channels are digitalised. DTH services are becoming popular with the introduction of premium services like HDTV services, On-demand movie services, etc. High power Ku-band transponders are used to support DTH television service with smallest dish antenna all over India.

Another areas where the satellites are heavily used to connect and unite the world is mobile communication. Satellite based mobile communication is highly useful during disasters when other means of communication breakdown. For example the S-band Mobile Satellite Service (MSS), added to the INSAT – 3C is useful for voice communication from any location in India for emergency communication.

Radio Networking (RN) is another important area of connecting people across the country. INSAT provides a reliable high-fidelity programme channels for National as well as Regional Networking. At present, 326 All India Radio (AIR) stations have been equipped with receive terminals. The satellites have revolutionised the television broadcasting all over the world which helped the global community to know about different culture, life, natural beauties and calamities. Not only this, the communication technology has been extended for tele-education, tele-health and a host of services. Satellite television now covers 100% area and 100% population.

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TELE-EDUCATION For decades, Space science have transcended over various spheres of activities making

human life more comfortable.

The mode of imparting knowledge from a classroom learning environment has in the recent past seen a paradigm shift to online distance learning mode. Today’s changing scenario has adopted satellite technology in imparting education even to the remotest parts of the world through TV broadcasts and broadband internet connections. Satellites have helped in establishing connectivity between educational institutions in urban regions with those in rural regions. The rural regions, because of their poor infrastructure and lack of trained teachers, are benefitted by satellite based tele-education by imparting knowledge to the students even in the remotest areas. While there are many limitations to the traditional web-based courses that lack personalized information exchange, satellite based tele-education has transcended all geographic boundaries, making the scope for global education possible. The exchange of educational and cultural experiences among the faculty and students of different geographic areas are now possible through distance learning which is otherwise difficult under the circumstances of time or expense or remoteness of a location.

As part of tele-education initiatives, ISRO launched 'EDUSAT' on 20 September 2004, for providing satellite-based distance education services for bridging rural-urban divide and improve quality in education sector across the country. The idea of broadcasting educational programmes through satellites was demonstrated for the first time in India during 1974-75 through Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) using American Application Technology Satellite (ATS). This experiment had telecast programmes on health, hygiene and family planning directly to 2400 Indian villages spread over six states. With the commissioning of INSAT system in 1983 and the successful telecast of several educational programmes via INSAT system, a need was felt to dedicate a satellite exclusively for tele-education. Thus was born EDUSAT India’s first thematic satellite dedicated exclusively for educational sector.

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EDUSAT was meant primarily to cater to a wide range of interactive distance education modes like one-way TV broadcast, video conferencing, computer conferencing, web-based instructions, etc. EDUSAT had manifold objectives - to supplement the curriculum-based teaching, imparting effective teacher training, providing access to quality resource persons and new technologies, thus finally resulting in taking education to every nook and corner of India. EDUSAT provided connectivity to schools, colleges and higher levels of education and also supported non-formal education including development communication

Major benefits of tele-education initiatives Supplementing curriculum based teaching Effective teachers training Access to quality resource persons and education Taking education to every nook and corner of the country About 15 million students get benefitted every year. After de-commissioning of EDUSAT (GSAT-3), the traffic of Tele-education networks

was migrated to INSAT-4CR, INSAT-3A, INSAT-3C and GSAT-12. The Technical Support and Training Centre (TSTC) is established at Guwahati, Assam to provide technical support on continuous basis to all the Remote Sites, Hubs and Teaching-Ends of various state networks in the North East Region. The ‘Network Monitoring Facility’ established at Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU), Ahmedabad is used to obtain the feedback on the utilisation and assess the quality of programmes.

Tele-education has become very popular that nowadays there are many virtual universities that share a variety of educational materials both for students as well as teachers and researchers worldwide.

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TELEMEDICINE Similar to Tele-education, Telemedicine is one of the unique applications of Space

Technology for societal benefit, utilizing telecommunication and information technology to serve the patients in remote areas with health care facilities. It makes available the expertise of health care professionals to diagnose and treat patients in remote locations quickly and effectively avoiding travel. Telemedicine enhances the disease diagnosis by sharing very crucial patient data to the health care specialists through wireless communication or interactive video clips.

Some of the benefits of telemedicine

Expands the reach of physicians and health beyond their own offices

Reduces the cost of health care and affordability

Quality care with patient satisfaction

Reduces stress and travel time for patients

The telemedicine network of ISRO began in 2001. In this pursuit, ISRO had provided dedicated satellite bandwidth, state-of-art satellite communication equipment, telemedicine hardware and software to various hospitals/medical colleges, with the central hub of the network located in Bengaluru.

TrainNet, a Learning Management System (LMS), with its server installed at the Telemedicine hub Bengaluru, provides one-to-many Continuing Medical Education (CME) facility. This facility helps hospitals and medical institutions to share their experiences and best practices with each other. With this CME initiative, ISRO's Telemedicine programme has further improvised to benefit medical practitioners/doctors and is enhancing the utility of the network in service of society.

Presently, the Telemedicine network of ISRO covers about 384 hospitals with 60 specialty hospitals connected to 306 remote/rural/district/medical college hospitals and 18 Mobile Telemedicine units. The Mobile Telemedicine units cover diverse areas of Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Radiology, Diabetology, Mammography, General medicine, Women and Child healthcare.

SPACE BASED NAVIGATION Space based navigation has become an indispensable aid to navigating around the world, and an important tool for map-making and land surveying. It also provides a precise time reference used in many applications including scientific study of earthquakes, and synchronization of telecommunications networks.

The first satellite navigation system was the Transit, a system deployed by the US military in the 1960s. Transit's operation was based on the Doppler effect: the satellites travelled on well-known paths and broadcast their signals on a well-known radio frequency.

The Global Navigation Satellite System or GNSS is the term for satellite navigation systems that provide positioning with global coverage. A GNSS allow small electronic receivers to determine their location (longitude, latitude and altitude) to within a few metres using time signals transmitted along a line of sight by radio from satellites. Receivers on the ground with a fixed position can also be used to calculate the precise time as a reference for scientific experiments.

The recent activities under Telemedicine Programme involved migration and operationalization of the nodes which were affected due to non-availability of EDUSAT (GSAT-3). Most of 190 nodes operating on EDUSAT were migrated to operational GSAT-12 satellite. Around 139 nodes are now operational on INSAT-3A and the remaining nodes on INSAT-3C and INSAT-4A satellites. ISRO is in the process of bringing in annual maintenance support for the Telemedicine systems to ensure continuity of service.

As part of international cooperation under tele-education and tele-medicine, ISRO has provided support to other countries for health care system. The international co-operation includes the initiation of the Pan Africa tele-health project which connects 53 African countries with identified Premier Hospitals/Medical Institutions in India for providing specialist consultation/treatment, CME and training as applicable.

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The Earth observations from space over the past 50 years have fundamentally transformed the human life in several other ways by answering fundamental questions about the Earth’s climate and environment and by aiding to online weather forecasting. Remote sensing of the Earth's environment using payloads attached to different international satellite platforms has revolutionized the understanding in resolving the environmental issues of our home planet. The international cross-disciplinary satellite based observations bring remarkable discoveries and the capability to predict Earth processes, critical to protect human lives and property. The space based global observations also provide full and open access to global data to an international audience, which creates a more interdisciplinary and integrated Earth science community. International data sharing and collaborations on satellite missions lessen the burden on individual nations to maintain Earth observational capacities.

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The United States NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS), the Russian GLONASS, the European Union's Galileo positioning system (a next generation GNSS) are the well-known satellite based navigation systems available today. China has a regional navigation system called BeiDou navigation Satellite System (BDS), which may expand to a global system in future. ISRO is establishing a regional satellite navigation system called Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) with an operational name of NAVIC. It covers India and a region extending 1,500 km around it, with plans for further extension. 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.

EARTH OBSERVATION FROM SPACE FOR WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Since the launch of Sputnik-I in 1957, thousands of satellites have been sent into space on missions to collect data about the Earth. Today, the ability to forecast weather, climate, and natural hazards depends critically on these satellite-based observations. No other single measurement platform has revolutionized the ability to address questions such as, Where will a developing cyclone make landfall? What is the status of the ozone layer? How much will sea level rise? While addressing these issues, continued Earth observations from space will unite the nations to understand the scientific and societal challenges of the future.

Weather plays an important role in the distributions of humans on earth and the development of different cultures. The climate (the long-term weather of an area) ultimately determines if an area will be nice for people to inhabit. Throughout history, climate has influenced migrations of humans over the earth. For example, there is a prevailing idea in archaeology that humans migrated into North America from Asia during a time of colder climate and lower sea level. Weather and climate are considered by some to be the most limiting factors in crop production. Successful growers need to consider the climate and weather conditions that are present in a certain growing area, as well as the growth requirements of the crops. Different weather patterns can affect crops in different ways. For example, some crops can withstand long periods of drought, and then recover when rain (or irrigation) finally arrives. Other crops can withstand very high temperatures, and still produce high yields (such as corn, cotton and peanut).

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NASA’s Earth Orbiting Satellites A series of NASA satellites provides thousands of Earth science data products and associated services, As part of the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

Image: Three powerful storms are shown swirling simultaneously across the Asia-Pacific region, including the deadly Tropical Cyclone Phailin, Typhoon Nari, and Typhoon Wipha

Earth observations: support beyond boundaries in analyzing the devastating storms

Weather is determined by many variables. For example, the variation in atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity at different altitudes affect the development and progress of storm systems, the amount of precipitation a region receives, and the number of cloudy days etc. Over time, these factors contribute to the climate on local, regional, and global scales. Throughout the day, sensors located on the land and oceans and in the atmosphere and space take measurements of atmospheric temperature and humidity, monitor atmospheric winds, take visible-light and infrared images of cloud formations and weather systems, monitor changes in solar radiation and measure concentrations of important atmospheric constituents.

Data gathered by these sensors are essential to understanding weather and climate. Satellite sensors offer wide, repeatable coverage, long-term service, and the ability to monitor several aspects of weather and climate simultaneously. Data from satellites contribute to both short- and long-term weather prediction and modeling and enhance public safety. In the short run, images of weather systems, obtained primarily from satellites in geosynchronous orbit, allow forecasters to predict the probable paths of severe storms. Data collected by polar orbiting satellites concerning the atmosphere, land, and oceans, are invaluable for understanding and modeling atmospheric temperature, humidity, wind, and the extent and condition of global vegetation.

Many countries are traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters due to the unique geo-climatic conditions. Cyclones, earthquakes landslides, floods and droughts, have been a recurrent phenomenon. Hence disaster management is very important for a country.

Satellite view of a Hurricane Image: TRMM cross-sectional view of Hurricane Katrina, through the eye of the storm; indicates the horizontal distribution of rain intensity on August 28, 2005, when Katrina was a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 knots (115 mph). Source: NASA

An obvious example of this was the Hurricane, Katrina, which impacted a huge area of the gulf coast of the U.S., killed nearly two thousand people, and displaced over one million people from their homes. Flash flood over Uttarkand killed many people. Heavy rainfall over cities like Chennai and Mumbai affect thousands of people’s life. This year Kerala faced worst flood in its history, lakhs of people were displaced and may thousands lost entire belongings. One of the most important platforms help to mitigate these types of natural disasters is space based observation. There are different fleets of operational satellites give information regarding the various aspects of impending and ongoing events on earth. A host of satellites like communication and navigation, meteorology, remote sensing and earth observation satellites have the potential in disaster prevention, relief and management activities.

The requirement is a viable mechanism to disseminate the information generated from the national or international aero-space systems to the concerned government organizations on a near real time basis for aiding in decision making. The value added products generated using satellite imagery helps in addressing the information needed for covering all the different aspects of disaster management such as, preparedness, early warning, response, relief, rehabilitation, recovery and mitigation.

One of the effective mechanism which is currently in place is the management of the coastal region during cyclone using space based observations. When a cyclone approaches the coast, known as land fall, serious damages to property as well as loss of lives arises from severe winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges and river floods. Using appropriate models and satellite data, the tropical cyclone track, intensity and landfall are predicted well in advance. After the formation of cyclone, its future tracks are regularly monitored and predicted using mathematical models. This is disseminated to the local authorities for timely evacuation and rescue and relief operations. During the recent cyclones in India, the lives of thousands of people were saved due to proper identification of track and land fall areas.

Coarse resolution satellite data, which gives coverage of larger areas, can be efficiently used to monitor the prevalence, severity level and persistence of agricultural drought at state/ district/ sub district level. Thus, the satellite platform is very useful in predicting several disasters thereby helping in averting dangers like cyclones, floods, etc, while in certain other scenarios it aids in understanding the extent of the devastation and provides ample information for relief and rebuilding operations. In the current scenario, where the natural disasters are on an increase, the role of satellites and associated systems in disaster management is becoming all the more important.

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Satellite aided Search and Rescue

India is a member of the international Cosmicheskaya Sisteyame Poiska Avariynich Sudov-Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (COSPAS-SARSAT) programme for providing distress alert and position location service through Low Earth Orbit Search And Rescue (LEOSAR) satellite system. Under this programme, the system is operational from the past 23 years.INSAT-3A, located at 93.5 deg East and INSAT-3D located at 82 deg East, are equipped with a 406 MHz Search and Rescue payload that picks up and relays alert signals originating from the distress beacons of maritime, aviation and land users.

Indian Local User Terminals (LUT) provide coverage to a large part of the Indian Ocean region rendering distress alert services to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. The operations of INdian Mission Control Centre (INMCC)/LUT are funded by the participating agencies, namely, Coast Guard, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and Directorate General of Shipping and Services.

Image: India’s remote sensing, communication

and meteorological satellites:

a thematic view

SPACE UNITES THE HUMANITY

The current divisiveness that seems to be permeating our culture has many wondering if we can ever overcome the divisions to find our common humanity, and be able to work together to solve our problems. In this regard, space exploration challenges us to not only to be and do our best, but reach beyond the ordinary, push the boundaries of our scientific and technical limits, and then to push even further. With space exploration, our desire to answer fundamental questions about our place in the Universe can not only help to expand technology, but it helps us look at things in new ways and it seems to help foster a sense of cooperation and a peaceful and enduring interconnectedness with humanity. For example, Journey to Mars is about more than sending astronauts to the Red Planet; it’s about bringing people together here on Earth. It’s also about strengthening our friendships across sectors and also across national borders.

Seeing Earth from Space Is the Key to Saving Our Species from Itself Earth is a biological spaceship, spinning around a massive nuclear explosion. Our atmosphere is a paper-thin layer of blue harmony, which protects us from the harsh darkness of space. Seeing that pale blue dot all alone from space, on which all of our lives play out, unites us to discover our cosmic roots, and drive our education, technology and industry towards the stars that bore us. Thus, space exploration is the motivational kick-in-the-butt to save humanity from extinction and journey beyond our home world. This is also a cognitive shift in awareness of seeing the reality of another Earth in space. A glimpse into ISRO activity for the benefit of humanity The admirable efforts put in by ISRO over the years have resulted in massive progress in the field of space science and technology. Space's benefit to the humanity particularly to the people of India is the main priority of ISRO. The advancements have contributed to the welfare of the common man in the country. Among the technology applications that have been showcased are the services offered by INSAT/GSAT satellites in the area of tele-education and telemedicine, ISRO’s Disaster Management Support (DMS) programme, monitoring and tracking of depressions and cyclones, and the prediction of landfall through Early Warning Systems.

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Typical launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), ISRO

thematic view of a satellite orbiting the Earth

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ISRO’s geostationary (viz., KALPANA, INSAT-3DR) and polar orbiting (viz., Oceansat, Scat-Sat) satellites; Remote sensing sensors [(viz., Panchromatic camera (PAN), Linear Imaging and Self-Scanning Sensor (LISS) and Wide Field sensor (WiFs)] have been playing a crucial role in saving thousands of human lives across the Asian countries during severe disasters.

Thus space applications unite the humanity by standing aside boundaries during the need of hour.

For example, very high resolution radiometer (VHRR) onboard Kalpana provides high resolution spatial cloud images every half an hour by observing in visible, water vapor and thermal infra-red bands. Similarly, INSAT-3D provides high resolution cloud images and vertical profiles of temperature and humidity through its contains 6 channel multi-spectral Imager and a 19 channel Sounder. The Scatterometers in Oceansat and Scat-Sat provide wind vectors over Oceans, which are highly valuable for predicting the track of the cyclone, intensity of rainfall and landfall.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides regular satellite images for predicting day to day and extreme weather events. Before the advent of satellite applications, the natural disaster to human and property were severe. For example, Odisha super cyclone in 1999 took life of more than 15000 people, while the extremity was far reduced (by more than 99%) in the recent severe cyclonic storm VARDAH.

Brightness Temperature (from Kalpana satellite)

Outgoing long-wave radiation (OLR) from INSAT-3DR during Vardah Cyclone

Kalpana-1

In building relationships among the neighbour countries, ISRO is extending the satellite based support to the SAARC countries through various disaster management programmes; viz., International charter Space and Major Disaster events, Sentinel Asia Framework, United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) and United Nations Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2013 (UNESCAP). Through these various programmes, the space provides a platform for managing disasters like cyclone, floods, drought, Earthquakes etc. This brings again the unity among the people of neighbouring countries, in spite of the geographical and cultural uniqueness.

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Space technology is for the service of HUMANITY We can re-grow crops, rebuild houses and cities, but nobody can bring back the dead; and space technology is one of the best ways to save precious human lives.

Satellite image showing landslide and blockage of a valley during Nepal Earthquake resulting in a new lake. The images are obtained using LISS payload in Resourcesat

during 01 April (left Panel) and 30 April (right panel) of the

year 2015.

Satellite images of Trinkat Island during Tsunami. The images are obtained from AWiFs on IRS. The sea

ingression into the land can be clearly observed in the bottom right panel.

FUTURE Everything We Can Learn From the Past

to Live More Wholesome Lives in the Future

In the very distant future, when the issues like travelling vast distances between solar systems to other habitable planets in our galaxy are dealt with, experts believe we could do away with planets altogether. In a Star Trek-like model, we could inhabit the spacecrafts built sustain to life for quests that could take thousands of years. NASA has already asked researchers to imagine habitats that orbit the earth, where tens of thousands of space travelers could be self-sufficient. However, to achieve any of these brave steps, a huge amount of international cooperation is required for humanity. As such, these missions have the great potential to unite the world.

Additionally, its great news for Indian space dreamers! The current project that ISRO is working on might just take humans to space in the near future! ISRO is on a mission called GAGANYAAN, 'human in space' program to take Indians to the space.

References

• http://exoplanets.org/

• https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/

• https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission/science/results/

• https://www.nasa.gov

• https://www.esa.int/

• https://www.isro.gov.in

• www.nasa.gov

• www.oecd.org

• web.mit.edu

• http://global.jaxa.jp

• https://www.esa.int

IMPORTANT!!

The information included in this document are intended solely for

educational purposes. Several information and images are cited from

various WebPages. We have acknowledged the relevant sites,

wherever possible.

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