CONTEMPORARY

DEFENCE & SPACE

TECHNOLOGY

by
Pranav Mahajan

2nd Edition

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 CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

1. MALABAR-2017
INTRODUCTION:
• The 21st edition of exercise “Malabar” has two aircraft-carriers,
a helicopter-carrier, nuclear and diesel submarines, cruisers,
destroyers and maritime patrol aircraft belonging to the Indian,
Japanese and US navies participating. These units were divided into
“Red” and “Blue” forces & pitted against each other in mock-combat,
involving, surface, under-water and aerial warfare.
BACKGROUND:
• For the Indian Navy (IN) it has been a long journey from professional
isolation of the non-aligned era, to being the belle of the Malabar
ball. Soviet patronage and naval hardware had commenced flowing
in the 1960s, but since they never undertook professional interaction
or exercises at sea, the IN found itself clinging to outdated NATO
doctrines. The disintegration of the USSR saw India losing not only its
steadfast political ally and sole purveyor of arms, but also the inhibitions
that went with non-alignment.
• Keen to shed its insularity, the IN initiated the first ever Indo-US naval
drills in May 1992. These became the precursor for bilateral exercises
with the navies of a dozen other nations, which have become an annual
feature on the IN calendar. Having got off to a good start, the Indo-
US exercises named “Malabar” were interrupted by US sanctions
imposed after India’s 1998 nuclear tests. Resumed in 2001, these
naval interactions have not only provided the IN invaluable insights into
the tactics, doctrines, warfare techniques and best practices of the US
Navy, but also enabled periodic self-assessment, using the world’s most
powerful navy as a professional yardstick.
OPPOSITION TO MALABAR:
• Externally, China has sustained a determined opposition to Malabar
because of its paranoid suspicion that India is colluding with the US in
an attempt at “containment”. Consequently, when the 2007 edition of
this bilateral exercise, held off Okinawa, was enlarged to accommodate
Australia, Singapore and Japan, China issued a shrill demarche,
conveying its fear and displeasure. It took another eight years before
Japan was formally admitted to make Malabar a tri-lateral.
• Domestic opposition to Malabar has come from diverse sources of
both leftist and ultra-right ideology parties and peoples. Another
factor that sometimes poses an impediment is the public anger about

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America’s continuing economic and military assistance to Pakistan

despite its use of jihad as a strategy and its duplicity vis-a-vis anti-India
terrorist groups.
INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY:
• With the 1998 nuclear tests and the 2005 Indo-US nuclear deal having
resulted in a fundamental transformation of India’s status, PM Modi
has also given clear indications that India’s foreign policies will be
guided by pragmatism and national interest, rather than idealism.
Today, realpolitik demands that India take necessary steps to a favourable
regional balance-of-power, through cooperation and partnerships;
striking short-term alliances if necessary.
• Apprehensions about the Trump administration’s stance on Indo-US
naval relations have been set at rest by repeated mentions, in the recent
Trump-Modi joint statement, of Indo-Pacific security, of maritime
cooperation and of the significance of exercise Malabar. Japan, too, is
easing its laws vis-a-vis foreign military relations. The stage is, therefore,
set for the three navies to expand their linkages beyond exercises at sea.
In the realm of maritime warfare, the three navies could derive mutual
benefit from their diverse operational expertise.
REASONS FOR NEED OF GREATER COOPERATION:
• Given China’s sinister intent in acquiring bases in the Indian Ocean,
and increasingly frequent transit of PLA naval units through our
waters, cooperation in strategic anti-submarine warfare as well as
maritime domain awareness deserve top priority. Equally, amphibious
operations, trade-warfare, maritime interception operations, anti-access
concepts and, of course, disaster relief, must receive due importance.
INDIAN SHIPBUILDING REQUIREMENTS:
• Our navy’s indigenous warship-building programme is still heavily
reliant on key inputs from foreign sources. We must seek help
from the advanced US and Japanese military industrial complexes to
acquire the competence for designing and building our own weapons
and sensors. Heading our wish list should be electric-drive technology
for our amphibious-warfare ships and nuclear reactors to propel our
submarines as well as aircraft-carriers.
WAY FORWARD:
• Indo-US naval cooperation has, for 25 years, formed the sheet-anchor
of bilateral relations, stoically weathering political and diplomatic

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storms. With the invaluable accession of Japan to this partnership,

the India-Japan-US triad must, now, be elevated to strategic status. A
proposal worthy of contemplation would be the creation of a “maritime-
infrastructure and economic initiative” that reaches out to smaller Indian
Ocean nations in an endeavour to wean them away from the Dragon’s
maw.

WHAT IS MALABAR?
• Malabar is an annual military exercise between the navies of
India, Japan and the U.S. held alternately in the Indian and
Pacific Oceans.
• It is a platform to improve interoperability between the navies.
• It began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S.
Then it got permanently expanded into a trilateral format with the
inclusion of Japan in 2015.
• The 10-day games will have two phases, an initial harbour phase in
Chennai and a sea phase later which will be held across the Bay of
Bengal and the northern Indian Ocean.
• In a first this year, all three countries fielded carriers (India - INS
Vikramaditya) for the exercises.
• Malabar 2017 is one of the largest joint exercises to be held in
the region and thrust would be on aircraft carrier operations, air
defence, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) etc.
• This year is also witnessing the largest participation to date with
16 ships, 2 submarines and over 95 aircraft taking part from the three
countries.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?
• These naval interactions have provided the Indian Navy invaluable
insights into the tactics, doctrines, warfare techniques and best
practices of the US Navy.
• In the realm of maritime warfare, the three navies could derive mutual
benefit from their diverse operational expertise. With China’s growing
military strength and its increasing presence in the Indian Ocean,
the Malabar has assumed greater importance.
• Given China’s intent in acquiring bases in the Indian Ocean, and
frequent transit of PLA naval units through our waters, cooperation
in maritime domain awareness deserve top priority.

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CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

• Equally, amphibious operations, trade-warfare, maritime interception

operations, anti-access concepts and, of course, disaster relief, must
receive due importance. There is special focus on anti-submarine
warfare operations
and, of course, disaster relief,in the
must backdrop
receive of increasing
due importance. submarine
There is special forays
focus on anti-
submarine
by warfare operations
the Chinese Navy. in the backdrop of increasing submarine forays by the Chinese Navy.

Q1- What are the geo-political significance of Malabar exercise

that is conducted between India – Japan – USA in the Bay of
Bengal? Is it time to elevate India-Japan-US triad to strategic
status? Comment.

Q2- Discuss the significance of Malabar-17 exercise for the

Indo-Pacific region.

** INS ARIDHAMAN

 2. INS ARIDHAMAN
INS Aridhaman is the second Arihant-class submarine. She is the second nuclear-powered
ballistic missile submarine being built by India. She is being built under the Advanced
• INS Aridhaman
Technology Vessel (ATV)is the
projectsecond
to build Arihant-class
nuclear submarines atsubmarine.
the Ship BuildingShe isinthe
Centre
second nuclear-powered
Visakhapatnam. This submarine will ballistic missile
have double the number ofsubmarine being
missile hatches than built
its predecessor
by
INSIndia. She is
Arihant giving being
it the ability built
to carryunder the Advanced
more missiles. This will have Technology Vessel
a more powerful reactor than
its predecessor.
(ATV) project to build nuclear submarines at the Ship Building Centre
in Visakhapatnam.
WHAT MAKES INS ARIDHAMAN This submarine
MORE DEADLIER will have
THAN double the number
ITS PREDECESSOR INS of
ARIHANT:
missile hatches than its predecessor INS Arihant giving it the ability
 INS Aridhaman is the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine being built by India.
toShe
carry more missiles. This will have a more powerful reactor than its
is being built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project to build nuclear
predecessor.
submarines at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam. Even though the same class as INS
Arihant, she will feature 8 launch tubes instead of the 4 giving her double the firepower of Arihant.
WHATThusMAKES
she could carry INS ARIDHAMAN
24 K-15 Sagarika short range MORE
SLBMs orDEADLIER THAN ITS
8 K-4 long range SLBMs.She will also
PREDECESSOR
feature more powerful INS ARIHANT:
reactor than her predecessor.

•
 The boat will have a seven-blade propeller powered by a pressurised water reactor. She can
INS Aridhaman is the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile
achieve a maximum speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) on water surface and 24 knots (44 km/h)
submarine
underwater.Thebeing submarinebuilt
has by
eightIndia. Sheinisitsbeing
launch tubes hump. built
She canunder
carry upthe Advanced
to 24 K-15 Sagarika
Technology
missiles (each with Vessel
a range(ATV)
of 750 kmproject
or 470 mi),toor build
8 of the nuclear submarines
under-development at the
K-4 missiles (with a
Ship
rangeBuilding
of 3,500 km Centre in Visakhapatnam. Even though the same class as
or 2,200 mi).
 INS Aridhaman will be fitted with the sonar ISS (Integrated Sonar Suite), state-of-the-art sonar
INS Arihant, she will feature 8 launch tubes instead of the 4 giving her
developed by NPOL DRDO. It is a unified submarine sonar and tactical control system, which
double
includes the firepower
all types of Arihant.
of sonar (passive, Thusranging,
surveillance, she could carry
intercept, 24 avoidance
obstacle K-15 Sagarika
and active). It
short rangeanSLBMs
also features underwater or communications
8 K-4 long range system. SLBMs.She
The hull featureswill also feature
twin flank-array sonars
more powerful
and Rafael broadbandreactor than her
expendable predecessor.
anti-torpedo countermeasures.
 To accommodate this expanding fleet, work is underway on a new naval base on India’s Eastern
• The
Coastboat will in
at Rambilli have a seven-blade
the state of Andhra Pradesh,propeller
called INS powered by base
Varsha. The new a pressurised
is specifically
water reactor. She can achieve a maximum speed of 12–15 knots
(22–28 km/h) on water surface and 24 knots (44 km/h) underwater.The

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 CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

submarine has eight launch tubes in its hump. She can carry up to 24
K-15 Sagarika missiles (each with a range of 750 km or 470 mi), or 8
of the under-development K-4 missiles (with a range of 3,500 km or
2,200 mi).
• INS Aridhaman will be fitted with the sonar ISS (Integrated Sonar
Suite), state-of-the-art sonar developed by NPOL DRDO. It is a unified
submarine sonar and tactical control system, which includes all types
of sonar (passive, surveillance, ranging, intercept, obstacle avoidance
and active). It also features an underwater communications system.
The hull features twin flank-array sonars and Rafael broadband
expendable anti-torpedo countermeasures.
• To accommodate this expanding fleet, work is underway on a new naval
base on India’s Eastern Coast at Rambilli in the state of Andhra Pradesh,
called INS Varsha. The new base is specifically designed to host nuclear
submarines, both SSBNs and SSNs, and is only 50 km away from the
port city of Vishakhapatnam that is home to the Shipbuilding Centre
(SBC) that integrates India’s nuclear submarines.
• This base will likely feature de-gaussing facilities as well as underground
submarine pens linked to open water by access tunnels. The onset of a
deep diving nuclear submarine fleet has also played a role in India’s
Cabinet Committee of Security according final approval to a long
pending proposal for the procurement of two deep submergence rescue
vessels (DSRVs). The two new DSRVs cleared for procurement from
a U.K.-based firm will be hosted by two new submarine tender ships
currently under construction at a public shipyard. India last operated a
DSRV in 1989 called INS Nistar when it had just started operating its
first nuclear boat, a Charlie class SSN leased from the Soviet Union.
• Like China’s massive nuclear submarine base at Hainan Island, the depth
of water at Rambilli will allow submarines to use the base without being
detected by satellites. This secrecy is crucial for SSBNs, which must
remain undetected when they leave for months long patrols, carrying
nuclear tipped ballistic missiles. For years, the ministry of defence
(MoD) has refused to acknowledge the existence of the base.
• While the Arihant will naturally serve as a training platform for crews
that will man its successor boats, just as the Chakra has been used to
train the Arihant’s crew, like the latter it too will perform direct security
missions. The Arihant’s reactor could be considered to be similar to late
second generation VM series submarine reactors given acknowledged
Russian assistance in this sphere.

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CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

• Such reactors needed refueling every 7-10 years at normal power

consumption levels and the core lifetimes are sufficient for up to 5000
hours of journeying. This would be adequate for limited deterrence
missions in potential patrol areas. Indeed, as the then IN Chief of Staff,
Nirmal Verma stated in 2010, “India’s nuclear triad is there when it
is commissioned,” indicating clear intent to mount deterrence patrols
using the Arihant.
• At the time of the Arihant’s launch in 2009, the outgoing Russian
ambassador to India, Vyacheslav Trubinikov, noted that its design was
based on the Akula class boats. Now if this were a reference to the
Arihant’s level of quietening, it could mean that the boat was quieter
than both China’s Shang Class SSNs as well as its Jin Class SSBN’s, if
one were to go by the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence’s 2009 rankings
about the degree of stealth exhibited by these boats. In any event, active
noise cancellation technologies are likely to find their way into the
Arihant’s successors, making them more difficult to detect.
THE NEXT STEPS
• After being moved under the power of harbour tugs to Site Bravo, the
Aridaman will undergo several tests over the next year, including the
crucial activation of the nuclear reactor. All major components that
include the all-important missile launchers and torpedo tubes
are already integrated and the submarine would be tested using
external power.
• After the systems pass all safety tests using external power, the nuclear
reactor of the submarine – developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre (BARC) – will be activated. After the nuclear reactor stabilises,
the boat will again undergo safety checks for all systems before being
moved to the stage of harbour trials.
Sea trials will subsequently commence to take the submarine through the
rigours of combat duty. This will include submerged tests, high speed cruises
and firing from torpedo and missile tubes. Indian Navy crews – who are
also operating the INS Chakra nuclear attack submarine leased from
Russia – will be transferred to carry out tests
and the induction process for Aridaman.
Besides the plans for nuclear armed submarines,
India has also cleared a project to construct a new
line of nuclear-powered but conventionally-armed

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submarines (SSNs). The mammoth plan, expected

to cost over $12 billion, is for six modern vessels to
be made in India. First official comments on the plan
came in 2015 with a senior Navy officer revealing
that the design work had started on the project and
the aim is to come out with a new class of
submarines within 15 years.

INS CHAKRA
• INS Chakra belongs to Akula-class nuclear powered Submarine.
• It was taken from Russia on a 10 year lease period.
• Originally named as K-152 Nerpa, it was handed over to the Indian
Navy in 2011.
• Though it is a nuclear powered submarine, it carries only conventional
weapons and not nuclear tipped missiles.
• It is based at INS Virbahu, the submarine base in Visakhapatnam.
• It is the second nuclear submarine after the indigenously built INS
Arihant.
• INS Arihant is capable of launching nuclear-tipped submarine
ballistic missiles.

INS ARIDHAMAN:
• Indian Navy is planning to launch INS Aridhaman, India’s second
nuclear-armed submarine.
• INS Aridhaman is the second Arihant-class submarine. It is the second
nuclear-powered ballistic
• missile submarine being built by India.
• It is being built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV)
project to build nuclear submarines at the Ship Building Centre in
Visakhapatnam.
• Even though the same class as INS Arihant, it will feature 8 launch
tubes instead of the 4 giving her double the firepower of Arihant. Thus
it could carry 24 K-15 Sagarika short range SLBMs

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CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

• (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile) or 8 K-4 long range SLBMs.

• INS Arihant was launched in 2009.
• INS Aridhaman is considered to be bigger ship than INS Arihant and
a proper nuclear-powered
• ballistic missile submarine due to its ability to carry more ballistic
missiles than its lead ship.
• INS Aridhaman will be fitted with the sonar ISS (Integrated Sonar
Suite), state-of-the-art sonar developed by DRDO. It is a unified
submarine sonar and tactical control system which includes all types
of sonar (passive, surveillance, ranging, intercept, obstacle avoidance
and active).
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF NUCLEAR SUBMARINES:
• The Indian Nuclear Doctrine notes that India’s strategic interests
require an effective and credible nuclear deterrent with adequate
capability. The nuclear submarines therefore provide the desired
credibility and survivability of nuclear weapons.
• The nuclear submarines not only act as a survivable nuclear deterrent
but add great power status tothe Indian naval forces.
• Nuclear submarines confer an edge to a fighting force that conventional
submarines find difficult to match. Because they are bigger, tougher,
more heavily armed and longer-ranged than conventional submarines,
it makes them indispensable assets.
• They can also perform functions that conventional diesel electric
submarines generally cannot like cross an ocean underwater at high
speed or remain submerged for weeks outside critical littoral spaces.
• The powerful weapons and sensors they host far outweigh the combat
capabilities of conventional submarines.
• Submarines at sea are considered less vulnerable to detection due to
their geographical and technical attributes. Accordingly, missiles on
submarines offer the most survivable strategic nuclear force available
to national decision-makers.
DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR SUBMARINES IN INDIA:
• It was in the late 1970s that first time serious thought was given to
the idea of the development of nuclear propelled submarines.The
project was first conceived by Dr Rajaramanna, the former chairman
of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Bombay.

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• By1987, India began to negotiate with the Soviet Union for the lease
of a nuclear submarine.
• In January 1988, a 670 A Skat series (Charlie class by NATO
classification) nuclear submarine was acquired by the Indian Navy
from the Soviet Union on lease.
• The vessel was commissioned as INS Chakra and was based at
Vishakhapatnam. This 4,800 ton vessel was fitted with eight Ameist
(SS-N-7 Starbright) anti-ship missiles with a range of 120 km, capable
of carrying nuclear warheads.
• Eventually the SKAT became not only the training ground for the
Indian naval personnel but a design laboratory for developing and
testing indigenous nuclear submarine technology. The indigenous
effort to develop nuclear submarine was initiated in 1990’s with the
Indian Navy's Advanced Technology Vessel project.
• The initial intent of the project was to design nuclear-powered fast
attack submarines. But following nuclear tests conducted by India
in 1998 at Pokhran Test Range and the Indian pledge of no first use,
the project was re-aligned towards the design of a ballistic missile
submarine in order to complete India's nuclear triad.
• In 2009, India began the INS Arihant’s construction which was finally
launched in 2014. INS Aridhaman is India’s second nuclear-armed
submarine. It is a critical step towards strengthening India’s
strategic deterrence.

NUCLEAR SUBMARINE:
• The nuclear submarine is considered one of the most
technologically advanced defense systems that the country can
have, It is the submarine powered by the nuclear reactor. Using the
nuclear reactor produces the huge amount of energy that can last for
several months together .
• The nuclear powered ship is the surface ship or the submarine. It
receives its propulsion energy from the nuclear power plant on board.
These ships have been widely used in the military since the 1950s as
the submarines and the aircraft carriers.
• The performance advantages of the nuclear submarines over
conventional (typically diesel-electric) submarines are considerable,
The nuclear propulsion, being completely independent of the air , does
not need the surface frequently, as is necessary for the conventional
submarines .

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CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

• The huge amount of power generated by the nuclear reactor helps the
nuclear submarines to operate at high speed for the long periods
of time and the current generations of nuclear submarines do not need
to be refueled throughout their 25-year life spans.
• Like the conventional submarine, the nuclear submarine also
works on the same principle and construction design. The naval
power plants are quite similar to the land-based nuclear power
reactors, They produce the heat through the nuclear reaction that is
used to boil the water that then turns the turbine.
• The naval nuclear power reactors still have a few distinct properties
from the land-based ones, Due to the space considerations, these
reactors are small ( a few hundred megawatts compared to a few
gigawatts on land ) and they have a higher output power density , It
is the ship powered by the atomic energy that travels primarily under-
water, but also on the surface of the ocean .
• The naval reactors thermal efficiency are less than land-based
nuclear power plants , They generally use the pressurized water, They
run on highly enriched uranium , and they use uranium-zirconium or
uranium-aluminum alloy or a metal-ceramic .
• The nuclear submarines have long core lives, So, they need little
refueling, and they contain the safe compact pressure vessel due to
the need of the flexible power output and space constraints .
• The nuclear reactor is the air tight enclosed space where in
uranium atoms split to generate enormous amount of energy.
When the uranium atoms split, they release the massive energy
along with the radiation & the heat. This released heat can propel the
submarine.
ADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR SUBMARINE:
• The main advantage of the nuclear submarine is that the
nuclear submarine is not required to be refueled and brought to
the surface again and most of the nuclear submarines have diesel
generators as the alternate power source that is used in case of the
fault in the nuclear reactor .
• The nuclear submarines can go for several years before they need to
be refueled , The power output of the nuclear submarines can support
larger crews , more on-board equipment and thus the larger scope of
mission types than the diesel-electric submarine .

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 CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

• The nuclear submarines can remain under the water for many
months , It makes the nuclear submarines one of the most useful
warships ever built , The only time the nuclear submarine must
ascend to the surface is to restock its food stores .
• The naval nuclear reactors provide more miles per unit of the raw
fuel compared to combustion-driven power sources , So , The nuclear
ships are much faster , They need to carry much less fuel and they do
not need an oxygen source .
• With rising oil prices , The nuclear ships might be more economical
than the conventionally powered ships , since savings in the fuel
costs might offset the additional up-front costs of nuclear-powered
ships .
• The nuclear ships are environmentally friendly , The nuclear fission
releases no greenhouse gasses , the confinement against radioactive
leakage is excellent , and the nuclear ships are even recyclable
DISADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR SUBMARINE:
• The reactor needs to be cooled even when the submarine is not
moving and it is the biggest disadvantage of the nuclear reactor,
The nuclear fission generates enormous amounts of the harmful
radiation that if it is leaked , It can damage both the human and
the marine life .
• In case of the reactor failure or leakage. The unimaginable level of
damage is done to the surrounding area. So, The nuclear reactors
are considered extremely dangerous and some of the most serious
nuclear and radiation accidents have to occur such as Soviet nuclear
submarine mishaps.
• The reactor is cooled by using the surrounding sea water , So ,
the nuclear submarine moves ahead leaving behind huge amounts of
warm water , The warm water layer rises to the surface and it creates
the thermal wake which can be easily detected by the thermal imaging
system.
• The nuclear submarines cost a lot of money. They require many
specialized equipment , facilities , and knowledge to both operate
and maintain. When the submarine’s reactor system is overhauled,
it requires that the entire engine compartment be removed &
replaced.

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CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

• It is the very costly and time consuming process. The spent nuclear
fuel rods should be stored or converted to another usable isotope via
burning in what is known as the breeder reactor.
• There are problems with this technology, with the leading one
being the expense , the nuclear powered ships are much more
expensive than those with the conventional sources of power ( They
are petroleum based ) , especially during the peace times .
• There are additional problems with the stress on the mechanical
system, the salt-water corrosion , the operation under shaking and
vibrations , The high cost of nuclear submarines means that few
states have fielded the nuclear technology.

SUBMARINE:
• A submarine is a marine vessel (technically a boat) capable
of carrying out various operations under water. Submarines
are used for military as well as civilian purposes. Military uses
include attacking enemy’s ships and submarines, blockade running
etc. Civilian purposes include research activities under sea like
exploration of sea floor, search and rescue operations, undersea
cable repair, tourism, undersea archaeology etc.
CONVENTIONAL AND NUCLEAR POWERED SUBMARINES:
• Submarines are of two main type viz. Conventional and Nuclear-
powered. A Conventional submarine uses a diesel-electric engine
and need to resurface frequently to get atmospheric oxygen for
combustion of the fuel. Therefore, they cannot remain under water
for a long period which increased their vulnerability to attack by the
enemy forces.
• On the other hand, the nuclear-powered submarine is powered
by nuclear reactor and works completely independent of air
so can remain under water for a long time. We note that the
current generations of nuclear submarines never need to be refueled
throughout their 25-year lifespan. Food and human need are the only
limiting factors for a nuclear submarine. Further, large amount of
power generated by a nuclear reactor allows nuclear submarines to
operate at high speed for long periods of time. The conventional subs
have a less speed in comparison.

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 CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

• Despite of so many advantages of nuclear powered submarines,

currently, only few countries have acquired them due to high cost of
nuclear technology involved in their making.
INDIA’S SUBMARINE FLEET:
India’s active submarine fleet consists of both conventional and
nuclear class submarines. Few basic facts about the submarine fleet of
India are as follows:
Conventional nuclear submarines of India:
The conventional nuclear submarines of India are belong to three different
classes viz. Shishumar, Sindhughosh and Scorpene / Kalavari.
Shishumar class:
Submarines of this class were developed with the help of a German
company. This class includes INS Shishumar (commissioned in 1986),
INS Shankush (commissioned in 1986), INS Shalki (commissioned in
1992), INS Shanku (commissioned in 1994). First two were built in
Germany and other two at Mazagon Dock Ltd at Mumbai.
Sindhugosh Class:
Sindhughosh class submarines were developed under a contract
between Russia and India and were commissioned in 1980s and 1990s.
This class includes INS Sindhughosh, INS Sindhuraj, INS Sindhuvir,
INS Sindhuratna,INS Sindhukeasari, INS Sindhukriti, INS Sindhuvijay,
INS Sindhurashtra, INS Sindhurakshak, INS Sindhydhvaj .Out of all the
submarines, INS Sindhurakshak caught fire and exploded in 2013 and
finally it was decommissioned in 2017.
Scorpene / Kalavari Class:
Scorpene Class submarines are part of India’s Project-75 wherein
submarines are designed by a French company-DCNS but are
manufacture at Mazagoan Dock Limited under technology transfer
agreement. Under these, six submarines will be built. INS Kalvari is
the first under this class which was commissioned in 2017. Kalvari
is capable of handling various missions such as anti-surface warfare
(attacking surface ships), anti-submarine warfare (destroying submarines),
intelligence gathering, mine-laying and area surveillance. Other two-
INS Khanderi and INS Karanj (bought from France) are undergoing
trials and are expected to be commissioned by 2018. Other three which
are planned to be built are-INS Vela, INS Vagir, INS Vaghsheer.

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NUCLEAR POWERED SUBMARINES:

India has three nuclear powered submarines as of today viz. INS Chakra,
INS Arihant and INS Aridaman.
INS chakra:
Inducted in April 2012, INS Chakra is an Akula-II class subma-
rine built by Russia and has been given on lease to India for 10
years.

INS Arihant:
Commissioned into Indian Navy in 2016 it is the first indigenous nuclear-
powered submarine belonging to Arihant Class. It made India the
first country outside the five permanent members of the United Nations
Security Council (US, Russia, UK, France, China) to have indigenously
built a nuclear submarine. The first Indian SSBN (ballistic missile
submarine) and can carry twelve Sagarika (K-15) submarine launched
ballistic missiles (SLBMs) that have ranges of 700 km. The submarine can
also carry torpedoes and submarine launched cruise missiles (SLCMs).
INS Aridaman:
It also belong to Arihant class and will be likely to be operational by 2019
it will also be indigenously build with better features compared to INS
Arihant. It can launch K-15 as well as K-4 missiles.
MAJOR ISSUES IN SUBMARINE PROGRAMME:
India has a very small fleet of operational submarines:
• One of the most important concern regarding India’s submarine
power is that due to insufficient fleet, India faces tough security for its
neighbors especially China. India has 15 submarines operational,
including two nuclear subs, in contrast to China’s 70 operational
submarines. This gap is expected to increase as China is pouring in
huge money as well as dedicated efforts in terms of technology to
strengthen its fleet.
• The problem is compounded by the China’s presence in the vicinity
of the Indian Ocean and African Coast through OBOR and covert
operations near African coast (stated to be antipiracy operations),
building of Gwadar Port etc.

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 CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

India does not have a right mix of submarines:

• Indian Navy does not have an appropriate mix of all the types of
submarines to handle littoral as well as under water warfare effectively.
A right mix of SSK (diesel powered), SSN (Nuclear powered attack
submarines), SSBN (can carry ballistic missiles) is very important.
• Currently, India has only one SSBNs -INS Arihant, one SSN, a
Russian Akula class submarine taken on lease in 2012 for 10 years
and only 13 SSKs-Sindhughosh class and Shishumar class. On the
other hand, China currently has 5 SSNs, 4 SSBNs and 53 SSKs.
India’s projects complete in ages:
• Delay in execution of projects is one of the most pressing issues. We
take example of Project 75, which was envisaged in 1990s but it’s
only now that one of the submarines under the project i.e. INS
Kalvari has been inducted into the navy.
• Its induction was also delayed by more than five years ago due to
problems relating to transfer of technology etc. Another Project-75
(I) a program for building next generation six SSKs has been recently
cleared after many years.
India’s existing submarine fleet is aging:
• Fourth is the problem of aging of submarine fleet. Since 1996,
India’s attack submarine fleet has dwindled to 13 diesel-electric
vessels from 21 as the navy failed to replace retired boats. The entire
fleet — a mixture of Russian-origin Kilo class vessels and German
HDW submarines — is at least 20 years old.

Q1- Enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear

powered submarines vis-a-vis conventional submarines.
 
Q2-What is significance of submarine power in war and
  peace time? Discuss highlighting major problems faced by
India towards strengthening its submarine power.
 
Q3- Why India Needs both Nuclear and Conventional
 
Submarines?
 

** IRNSS-1I
15navigation satellite IRNSS-1I, its second mission in a
 The space port of Sriharikota is set to launch
fortnight. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) it will be launched at 4.04 a.m. from the
coastal Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 80 km from Chennai.
 The 1,425-kg replacement spacecraft will join and support the older seven Indian navigation
satellites, 1A to 1G, that were put in orbit between July 2013 and April 2016.
CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

3. IRNSS-1I
• The space port of Sriharikota is set to launch navigation satellite
IRNSS-1I, its second mission in a fortnight. Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) it will be launched at 4.04 a.m. from the coastal
Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 80 km from Chennai.
• The 1,425-kg replacement spacecraft will join and support the older
seven Indian navigation satellites, 1A to 1G, that were put in orbit
between July 2013 and April 2016.
• The launch completes the first phase of the constellation, K.Sivan,
Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, after a
19-minute flight put the satellite in a precise initial orbit. It was put
to orbit on the PSLV-C41 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre
in Andhra Pradesh.
• NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), dubbed India’s own
GPS, has been designed to provide precise information on position,
navigation and time related to objects or people. The eight satellites
have a civilian and restricted military/security application to aid security
and disaster management and fleet monitoring on land, air and sea.
• ISRO has built its own regional navigation satellite fleet akin to the US
GPS to get the best locational details for its mobility activities, civil as
well as military. ISRO had launched its communication satellite, GSAT-
6A, from the second launch pad of the space port. That spacecraft had
almost reached its orbit on Day 3 but stopped giving out signals.
• ISRO the problem arose that they would continue to prod GSAT-6A
into action even as the space agency probes why the glitch happened
soon after launch. The launch of IRNSS-1I is important for ISRO
and users.
• The satellites were built to last for 10 years each; but all three
rubidium atomic clocks on the first satellite IRNSS-1A reportedly
failed almost; and the first spare or back-up, IRNSS-1H, flopped at
launch on August 31, 2017. All seven navigation satellites must work
to give the planned 24-hour, precise information of location and time of
persons or objects.
PRE-DAWN FLIGHT:
• 1I will be the eighth in the ring of NavIC (Navigation with Indian
Constellation) and is slated to be launched to space on a PSLV rocket in
its extended XL version.IRNSS-1I, as also the lost 1H, have been built

16
 CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

by a consortium of Indian industries under the guidance of engineers of

ISRO Satellite Centre.
• Some 70 engineers from the private sector were involved in the assembly,
integration and testing of 1I and 1H,. ISRO said IRNSS-1I is similar to
its senior navigational siblings.
• Its navigation payload transmits signals in L5 and S bands and gives
position, velocity and time of objects on ground. Three rubidium
atomic clocks provide precise time. The ranging payload uses a C-band
transponder to give accurate information of the range of the satellite.
SPACE STINT:
• Built for a 10-year stint in space, the IRNSS-1I is expected to be ready
for work in about a month’s time, after routine orbit manoeuvres
and tests, ISRO officials said after the launch. The NavIC constellation
is going to create history and make innovative applications for the entire
community of position-based services, especially the under- served and
un-served,” Dr. Sivan said in a post-launch address.
• ISRO is developing many applications, and industry and institutions
should take them to users. ISRO teams returned to launch this mission in
a record 14 days after the communication satellite GSAT-6A. However,
IRNSS-1I was flown from the older, first launch pad. ISRO launched
the first seven navigation satellites IRNSS-1A to 1G between July
2013 and April 2016.
• Although 1I is the ninth to be built and launched for the NavIC fleet,
the previous satellite, 1H, was lost in a faulty launch. 1I and 1H were
planned as backups but became necessary after all three imported
rubidium atomic clocks on 1A failed in orbit. All seven satellites are
required for accurate, 24-hour information from the fleet.
• Both 1I and 1H were fitted with corrected atomic clocks. ISRO
involved a consortium of six Indian industries in their assembly,
integration and testing at Bengaluru an exercise that will be replicated
in coming missions. Once the IRNSS-1I was ejected from the rocket,
its solar panels opened out automatically. At the same time, engineers
at ISRO’s facility at Hassan in Karnataka took control of the satellite.

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CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

WHAT IS IRNSS?
• IRNSS stands for Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. It
is a set of satellites which together can provide India a regional
positioning system similar to the GPS.
• According to the ISRO website, the system is designed to give position
accuracy better than 20 metres to users in its primary coverage area.
It can also service regions extending up to 1500 km around India’s
boundary.
HOW MANY IRNSS SATELLITES ARE UP THERE NOW?
• There are currently seven IRNSS satellites (1A to 1G) in orbit. A, B,
F, G are placed in a geosynchronous orbit, which means they seem
to be at a fixed location above the Earth and they orbit along with the
Earth.
• The remaining three, C, D, E, are located in geostationary orbit-they
seem to be at a fixed location above the Earth along the equator and
orbit along with the Earth.
• The last IRNSS, 1H, which was launched on August 31, 2017, was
unsuccessful as the satellite did not come out of its heat shield.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATIONS OF IRNSS?
• These satellites help not just in land navigation but also in marine and
aerial navigation.
• The data from these satellites can be used to give vehicle drivers
visual and voice navigation assistance.
• They also help in disaster management and in proper time-keeping.
SPECIFICATIONS OF IRNSS-1I:
• Weighing 321 tonnes, the PSLV-C41 will put the IRNSS-1I into
orbit 19 minutes and 19 seconds after lift-off. The IRNSS-1I weighs
1425 kg at lift-off and is the ninth satellite in the IRNSS satellite
constellation.
• It will be placed in a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit and at its
closest point will be 284 km above the Earth and at its farthest will be
20,650 km above the Earth.
• Like all other IRNSS satellites, IRNSS-1I will also carry two
payloads – navigation payload and ranging payload – the former to
transmit signals for determining position, velocity and time and the
latter for determining the frequency range of the satellite.

18
SPECIFI ICATIONS OF O IRNSS-1I I:
 Weigh hing 321 tonnnes, the PSLV V-C41 will pu ut the IRNSS--1I into orbit 19 minutes an nd 19 secondds
after lift-off.
l The IRNSS-1I weighs 1425 kg g at lift-off an
nd is the nintth satellite in
n the IRNSS
satellite constellattion.
 It willl be placed in
n a sub-geosyn nchronous traansfer orbit annd at its close
est point will b
be 284 km abbov
CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19
the Eaarth and at its
s farthest will be 20,650 kmm above the E Earth.
 Like all other IRN NSS satellites s, IRNSS-1I will
w also carr ry two paylo oads – navigattion payload and
ranginng payload – the former to o transmit sign
nals for determ mining positiion, velocity aand time and the
latter for determiniing the frequeency range off the satellite.

Q1- Compare the main Navigation

N S
Satellite
Q1. Compare tthe world.
Systems in the
main Navigation
Ev
Satellite
valuate the pro
Systems in the
ogress in
world. Evaluate
im the progress
mplementation in implementation
n of IRNSS. of IRNSS.
Q2. Describe the features of Navigation with Indian
Q2- Describ
be the feature
es of Navigatiion with
India Constellation
an Constellati (NAVIC)??
ion (NAVIC)?

** GSAT
T 6A

 4. GSAT 6A
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ( will llaunch the G GSAT 6A sate ellite at 4.56 p.m
from Sriharikota.. This is a step p forward forr ISRO in its iindigenous co ommunicatio on satellites
•
progr The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the
ramme.
 G GSAT
The GSLV F08,6A
w satellite
which at ry
will car 4.56
thep.m. from
6A sat Sriharikota.
tellite, will be This th
e sent from is
heasecond
step forward
lau
unch pad in
for ISRO
Sriharrikota. win its
This will indigenous
be the 12tth GSLVcommunication
ght and the sisatellites
flig ixth flight programme.
wiith the Cryog genic Upper
Stage
e. This satellitte will provid
de mobile commmunication tto India throu ugh multi-beam m coverage. T Th
• The GSLV F08, which will carry the 6A satellite, will be sent from the
second launch pad in Sriharikota. This will be the 12th GSLV flight and
the sixth flight with the Cryogenic Upper Stage. This satellite will
provide mobile communication to India through multi-beam coverage.
There are two improvements to the GSLV F08, ISRO has said. These
are the induction of the Vikas engine and an electromechanical actuation
system.
• The GSAT 6A has been in the news before, but for the Antrix-
Devas deal. Under the deal, Antrix, ISRO’s commercial arm, was
to provide 70 MHz of the scarce S-Band wavelength to Devas for its
digital multimedia services. This was to be done by leasing 90 per cent
of the transponders in satellites GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A that are proposed
to be launched by ISRO. Devas, in turn, was to pay Antrix a total of
$300 million over 12 years.

19
CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

• The agreement was signed on January 28, 2005. Consequently, the

Department of Space (DoS) got the Cabinet approval for the building of
GSAT-6 at a cost of `269 crore and GSAT-6A at a cost of `147 crore
under the Commission’s delegated powers.
• The deal was annulled in 2011 when irregularities were found in the
financial management. Weighing 415.6 tonnes, the GSLV F08 will put
the GSAT 6A into orbit 17 minutes and 46 seconds after its launch.
GSAT-6A:
• GSAT-6A, similar to its predecessor GSAT-6, is a high power S-band
communication satellite.
• It has a mission life of around 10 years.
• The satellite has a six-metre wide antenna that would unfurl once it
is in space.
• The antenna, meant for S-band communication, is 3 times broader
than those generally used in ISRO satellite.
• This feature facilitates mobile communication for the country through
handheld ground terminals.
• The smaller antenna in other communication satellites requires larger
ground stations.
• The GSAT-6A is intended to provide communication services through
multibeam coverage.
• The satellite would also provide services to the Indian Armed Forces.
• The GSAT-6A was successfully placed in GTO (Geo-stationary
Transfer Orbit).
• Soon after separation from GSLV, the two solar arrays of GSAT-6A
were automatically deployed in quick succession.
• The Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka
assumed control of the satellite.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE?
• Launch - The launch took ISRO a step towards realizing its second
Moon mission Chandrayaan 2 planned for October 2018.
• The launch was the 12th satellite launched on board the GSLV rocket.
• This is the fifth consecutive success for a GSLV equipped with an
indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage engine.
• GSLV - The GSLV F08 is an improved and a fully operational version
of ISRO’s heavy-lift GSLV Mk II rocket series.

20
 CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

• The GSLV, specifically the GSLV F10, is the designated rocket to fly
India’s second mission to the Moon, the Chandrayaan 2.
• In the absence of heavy-lift rocket technology, India has been relying
on France for launching its communication satellites.
• Vikas Engine - Vikas engine powered the rocket’s second stage.
• The performance of the vehicle is enhanced with an improved Vikas
engine.
• The improved engine has increased the thrust by 6%, thereby
enhancing payload capability of the vehicle by 50%. The second
stage also had electromechanical actuation system replacing electro
hydraulic actuation system.
• This is to enhance the reliability of the rocket. These improvements
to the vehicle would be incorporated into GSLV’s future missions,
including Chandrayaan-2.
S-BAND:
• S-band is electromagnetic spectrum covering frequencies from 2 to 4
gigahertz (GHz). It is very useful and is used globally for 4G service
and is extremely valuable for mobile broadband services. It crosses
conventional boundary between Super High Frequency (SHF) and
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands at 3.0 GHz.

Q1- Explain important satellite frequency bands with

examples of India’s satellites and their uses.

5. PSLV-C40
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its 42nd
Polar Satellite Launch (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space
Centre in Sriharikota. The PSLV-C40, which took off at 9.29 a.m,
placed 31 satellites, originating from seven countries, in two orbits.
ISRO termed the successful launch a New Year’s gift to the nation.
• The rocket was only briefly visible to onlookers on a foggy morning. Its
primary payload was the fourth satellite in the advanced remote sensing
Cartosat-2 series.
• The Cartosat-2, whose imagery will be used to develop land and
geographical information system applications, weighs 710 kg and was

21
CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

placed in a circular polar sun synchronous orbit 505 km from Earth.

• The satellite’s design life is five years. The 30 co-passenger satellites
together weigh 613 kg. It was, however, the two other Indian satellites in
the C40’s payload that generated the most excitement Called technology
demonstrators, the microsatellite and the nanosatellite showed big
strides towards miniaturization.
• The ISRO also used them to send a message to potential commercial
customers, placing its microsatellite in an orbit different from the other 30.
After deploying all the other satellites, the fourth stage of the rocket restarted
twice to move from the 505 km orbit to a 359 km orbit to inject the microsat.
• The remote sensing microsatellite is of the 100 kg class with a mission
life is 10 months. The nanosatellite, named Indian Nano Satellite-1C,
is the third in its series. The INS-1C, whose mission life is six months,
carries the Miniature Multispectral Technology Demonstration payload.
• The ISRO Chairman said the Chandrayaan-2 was on schedule but did
not commit to a March 2018 deadline.
POLAR SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (PSLV):
• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV is third generation launch
vehicle indigenously designed and developed by ISRO. It is one of
world’s most reliable and versatile workhorse (launch vehicles) with
39 consecutively successful missions by June 2017.
• It is four stages launch vehicle and first Indian rocket to be
equipped with liquid stages. It can take up to 1,750 kg of payload
to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits (SSPO) of 600 km altitude and
payload of 1,425 kg to Geosynchronous and Geostationary orbits.
• Four Stages: The uppermost stage or fourth stage of PSLV comprises
of two Earth storable liquid engines.
• The third stage is solid rocket motor that provides upper stages high
thrust after the atmospheric phase of the launch.
• Second stage of PSLV uses an Earth storable liquid rocket engine, known
as Vikas engine, developed by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
• The first stage uses uses the S139 solid rocket motor that is augmented
by 6 solid strap-on booster.
• SUCCESSFUL MISSIONS: During 1994-2017 period, PSLV has
launched 48 Indian satellites and 209 satellites for customers from
abroad. It has been in service for over twenty years and has launched
historic missions like Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM),
IRNSS (NAVIC) etc.

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 CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

PSLV C-40:
• ISRO is planning to launch 31 satellites, including India’s Cartosat-2
series earth observation space craft, in a single mission using PSLV
C-40 in January, 2018. The mission will be the first PSLV mission
after the unsuccessful launch of the navigation satellite IRNSS-1H.
• The mission consists of 28 nano satellites from abroad, including
Finland and the U.S., one micro and one nano satellite from India
along with one Cartosat satellite. The satellites will be launched
from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• Earlier this year, PSLV-C37 launched the first Cartosat-2 series
satellite along with 103 co-passenger satellites in a single flight.
CARTOSAT-2 SATELLITE:
• ISRO is set to launch 28 commercial satellites along with
CartoSat-2 in the upcoming month.
• Cartosat is a series of Earth Observation Satellites placed in Polar
Sun Synchronous Orbit (PSSO). The objective is to provide high-
resolution scene specific spot imagery.
• The imageries from Cartosat-2 series satellite will 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.
• It will also be useful in various other Land Information System
(LIS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) applications.

Q1- What’s the purpose of launching Cartosat-2 series satellites?

Write a note on important components of these satellites.
Q2- Describe remote sensing Also, in this light,
examine the significance of remote sensing for India and
applications of Cartosat 2 series satellite thereof.

6. NISAR: NASA AND ISRO 

• ISRO and NASA are jointly working on the NASA-ISRO Synthetic
Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission to co-develop and launch a dual
frequency (L&S band) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite by
2021.

23
CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

• The satellite will be the world’s most expensive earth-imaging

satellite till date, costing around $1.5 billion. It aims to study global
environmental change and natural disasters.
BACKGROUND:
• ISRO and NASA have a framework agreement for cooperation in the
exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes signed in 2008.
• Under this framework agreement, ISRO and NASA have executed
an implementing arrangement for cooperation in NISAR mission,
which is valid until 2034 and provides scope for joint activities on
science & applications of NISAR data after the launch.
ABOUT THE NISAR MISSION:
• NISAR is a dual frequency (L & S Band) Radar Imaging Satellite. It
will be the first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequency.
• It is planned to be used for remote sensing to observe and understand
natural processes of the Earth. The satellite is planned to be launched
into a Sun-synchronous dawn to dusk orbitand ISRO will also be
responsible for the in-orbit operations.
• It is designed to observe and take measurements of some of the
planet’s most complex processes, including ecosystem disturbances,
natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.
USAGE OF THE L AND S BAND MICROWAVE DATA:
• The L and S band microwave data obtained from this satellite will
be useful for variety of applications, which include:
»» Natural resources mapping & monitoring;
»» Estimating agricultural biomass over full duration of crop cycle;
»» Assessing soil moisture;
»» Monitoring of floods and oil slicks;
»» Coastal erosion, coastline changes and variation of winds in coastal
waters;
»» Assessment of mangroves; surface deformation studies and others.
SALIENT FEATURES:
• NISAR is a dual frequency (L & S Band) Radar Imaging Satellite. It
will be the first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequency.
• In this joint mission, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JLP) will be
responsible for design and development of L-band SAR, GPS system,
12m unfurlable antenna and data recorder. ISRO will be responsible

24
 CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

for design and development of S-band SAR, Spacecraft Bus, data

transmission system, spacecraft integration & testing, launch using
GSLV and on-orbit operations.
• Mission Life: It is expected to be launched in year 2021. It will have
mission life of 3 years.
• Operational orbit: The satellite is planned to be launched into a
Sun synchronous dawn to dusk orbit. Applications: It will provide an
unprecedented detailed view of Earth by taking snapshots every week
using advanced radar imaging.
• It is designed to observe and take measurements of some of the planet’s
most complex processes, including ecosystem disturbances, natural
hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides. It will
be used also for natural resources mapping & monitoring, estimating
agricultural biomass over full duration of crop cycle.
• It will be also monitor floods and oil slicks, coastal erosion,
coastline changes and variation of winds in coastal waters, surface
deformation studies due to seismic activities etc.
• Implementation Process: Implementation Arrangement (IA) of
mission, defining roles and responsibilities of ISRO and NASA was
signed between two space agencies in September 2014.
• So far, ISRO has completed Baseline Design Reviews of satellite and
S-band SAR payload. NASA’s JLP has successfully completed Mission
Concept and Key Decision Point reviews. The first Joint Steering
Group (JSG) meeting of NISAR was held in July 2015.
• Cost of the project: Costing around $1.5 billion, it will be world’s most
expensive earth-imaging satellite till date.
• Space Diplomacy: The mission will establish a general pathway for
future joint missions between ISRO and NASA for Mars exploration. It
will also further strengthen the Indo-US ties.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MISSION:
• The mission will establish a general pathway for future joint missions
between ISRO and NASA for Mars exploration. It will also further
strengthen the Indo-US ties.

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CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

IN NEWS
• ISRO and NASA are working towards realization of NASA-ISRO
Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission by 2021. In NISAR
mission, NASA is responsible for development of L-band SAR and
ISRO is responsible for development of S-band SAR. The L & S band
SAR will be integrated with ISRO’s spacecraft and launched on-board
India’s GSLV.
• The total cost of the project includes ISRO’s work share cost of about
Rs. 788.00 Cr and the cost of JPL’s work share of about USD 808
million. After the launch in 2021, the plan of action includes (i)
calibration of instruments & validation of data products; (ii)
development of science acquisition plan; (iii) development of
data processing procedures & applications; and (iv) conduct of
outreach activities in research institutes & academia.
• NISAR employs a futuristic Sweep SAR technique, which enables
very wide swath of more than 200 km and very high resolution
of the order of 5-10m. The L & S band microwave data obtained
from this satellite will be useful for variety of application, which
include estimating agricultural biomass over full duration of crop
cycle; assessing soil moisture; monitoring of floods & oil slicks;
coastal erosion, coastline changes; assessment of mangroves; surface
deformation studies, ice sheet dynamics etc. 
• ISRO and NASA have a framework agreement for cooperation
in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes
signed in 2008. Under this framework agreement, ISRO and NASA
have executed an implementing arrangement for cooperation in
NISAR mission, which is valid until 2034 and provides scope for joint
activities on science & applications of NISAR data after the launch.
• This information was provided by the Union Minister of State
(Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region
(DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions,
Atomic Energy and Space.

Q1- Write a brief note on NISAR

mission?

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 CONTEMPORARY DEFENCE AND SPACE-CCS 2018-19

7. ADITYA-L1
• Made in India probe prepares to study solar phenomena, Sometime in
2019 or 2020 India will send ISRO’s solar mission aditya-l1 to a vantage
point in space, known as the l1 Lagrange point, to do imaging and
study of the sun. This launch will happen in the early part of the next
solar cycle - an occurrence in which sunspots form on the face of the
sun, growing in size and number and eventually diminishing, all over a
period of eleven years. It will be a mission of many firsts.
• The so-called l1 point is 1.5 million kilometers away. Here, due to the
delicate balance of gravitational forces, the satellite will require very
little energy to maintain its orbit. Also it will not be eclipsed from the
sun. The 1,500-kg class satellite will be programmed to orbit this point
and image the sun’s magnetic field from space for the very first time in
the world. Scientists hope to capture the close-ups of the sun from here,
uninterrupted by eclipses for years.
• Few other space agencies have successfully placed their satellites at
this location. Among the few, the solar and hemispheric observatory
(SOHO), a NASA-ESA collaboration involving America and
Europe, and NASA’s advanced composition explorer (ACE) are at
l1 exclusively to study the sun and space weather, respectively.
• Aditya-l1 is expected to be the very first to study from space two
months from the time of launch, the magnetic field of the sun’s
corona. The corona is the outer layer that we see during total solar
eclipses. It will be the first 100% Indian mission which will not only
negotiate a challenging orbit, but will also benefit the global scientific
community in understanding the sun.
DEEPER LOOK:
• Earlier, the NASA-ESA mission SOHO was launched in 1995, and
whiles it made many discoveries, its coronagraph, meant to image the
sun, broke down shortly after the mission commenced. Hence there is
currently no satellite imaging the sun from space. Aditya-l1 will not
only fill this gap it will also literally, look deeper into the sun than
SOHO. “the nominal mission lifetime is expected to be five years,
though it is expected to go on for much longer, perhaps even ten,”
from Indian institute of astrophysics (IIAP), bengaluru, which is
collaborating with isro on this project.
• The mission will carry 7 payloads, consisting of a coronagraph,
equipment that will image the sun using ultraviolet filters, x-ray

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spectrometers, and particle samplers all being made within the country.
WHAT IS ADITYA L1?
• Aditya-L1 is the India’s first dedicated scientific mission to study
the sun. The mission is a joint venture between ISRO and physicists
from various institutes including Indian Institute of Astrophysics,
Bengaluru; Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics,
Pune; and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. The
mission costs approximately Rs. 378 crores.
• The project was conceived in 2008. Initially it was planned to launch
the Aditya-1 satellite as a low-earth orbit satellite but subsequently the
plan was changed and now ISRO is planning to place the satellite at
Lagrangian point L1. The upgraded mission is called Aditya-L1.
WHERE THE SATELLITE WILL BE PLACED?
• Initially ISRO planned to place the 200 kg satellite at an altitude of
800 km to coincide with the solar maximum. Solar maximum is a period
of intense activity on the sun and it occurs once in every 11 years.
• As per the revised plan, ISRO will put the satellite in a halo orbit
around the L1 Lagranian point between the Sun and the Earth.
The distance of this point from earth is about 1.5 million km. The
location will facilitate continuous viewing of the Sun without any
eclipses. The satellite will be launched by using the PSLV XL.
WHAT ARE LAGRANGIAN POINTS AND HALO ORBIT?
• Lagrangian points are the locations in space where the combined
gravitational pull of two large masses roughly balance each other.
Any small mass placed at that location will remains at constant distances
relative to the large masses. There are five such points in Sun-Earth
system and they are denoted as L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5. A halo orbit
is a periodic three-dimensional orbit near the L1, L2 or L3.
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE MISSION?
• The objective of the mission is to study the dynamic nature of the sun’s
outer most layers, the corona and the chromospheres, and collect data
about Coronal Mass Ejections (CME).
• It will also study on origin of solar storms and their path through the
interplanetary space from the Sun to the Earth.
• The studies will also focus on collection of information for space
weather prediction.

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WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MISSION?

• Solar storms occur when the Sun releases huge bursts of energy in
the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Solar flares are
the sudden explosions on the Sun. Solar flares are often, not always,
followed with release of huge streams of plasma. These streams are
called coronal mass ejections. These activities on the Sun send a stream
of electrical charges and magnetic field toward the Earth causing severe
near-Earth-space disturbances called geomagnetic storms.
• They disturb the communication networks, power lines in high
altitudes and satellite-based operations. They impact satellite mission
lifetimes. They also affect the positional accuracy of satellites and thus
impact GPS navigational networks. Basic understanding of various
processes on the Sun’s out layers and continuous monitoring will
help us to better protect the satellites by taking necessary action.
Data from Aditya-L1 mission will also complement our scientists
in building of space weather forecasting models. Presently Indian
scientists use the models and calculations made by NASA to maintain
the satellites.
WHAT ARE THE PAYLOADS DEVELOPED FOR THE MISSION?
Aditya-L1 mission will carry seven payloads. They are:
• Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) – It will study the
diagnostic parameters of solar corona and dynamics and origin of
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). It can measure the magnetic field
of solar corona down to tens of Gauss.
• Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS) – The payload
is aimed at monitoring the X-ray flares (1 – 30 keV) for studying the
heating mechanism of the solar corona.
• High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) – It
is designed to study hard X-ray emission from 10 keV to 150 keV
during the impulsive phase of solar flares.
• Solar Ultraviolet Image Telescope (SUIT) – It will image the
spatially resolved Solar Photosphere and Chromosphere in near UV
region and measure solar irradiance variations.
• Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) – It aims to study
composition of solar wind and its energy distribution throughout the
lifetime of mission.

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• Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) – It will study

the variation of solar wind properties, its distribution and spectral
characteristics.
• Magnetometer – It is used to measure the magnitude and nature of
the interplanetary magnetic field.
The challenge before ISRO is in placing the satellite at L1 point where it
will send Indian spacecraft for the first time.

Q1- Discuss the key features of the Aditya L-1mission. Also

discuss the key features of a similar mission by NASA.

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