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India puts into orbit satellite ‘Microsat R’ for DRDO and ‘Kalamsat’ (Lead)
By Venkatachari Jagannathan
Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Jan 25 (IANS) India on Thursday night opened the year’s space campaign by putting into orbit defence imaging satellite “Microsat R” for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in a copy book style.
The notable aspects of this space mission are flying of a new variant of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), switching off and on of the fourth stage engine couple of times, and use of fourth stage as an orbital platform carrying Kalamsat.
After the successful launch, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan said: “The mission is a grand success. The PSLV rocket precisely injected the ‘Microsat R’ in its designated orbit.”
Sivan said, this PSLV rocket is not an another PSLV rocket as lot of innovation have been incorporated in it like the use of aluminium tank in the fourth stage and using it as an orbital platform for the five member student team and Space Kidz India built nano-satellite Kalamsat.
He said, the Indian space agency is ready to help all Indian students to conduct space experiments while ISRO would do the research for the benefit of the nation.
At 11.37 p.m, the 44.4-metre tall rocket blasted off from the first launch pad here.
With the fierce orange flame at its tail lighting up the night skies, the rocket slowly gained speed and went up and up enthralling the people at the rocketport, with the rocket’s engine noise like a rolling thunder adding to the thrill.
More thrilling aspect came in when rocket’s fourth-stage/ engine was cut/switched off in just over 13 minutes after the lift-off.
A minute later the DRDO’s imaging satellite “Microsat R” was ejected at an altitude of about 277 km.
Speaking to IANS earlier, Sivan said the “Microsat R” is a 700kg satellite for DRDO.
“There is increased demand for satellites from strategic sectors. About six-seven satellites are planned to be built,” a senior official told IANS earlier.
The GSAT-7 and GSAT-7A are the two dedicated military communication satellites, while all other earth observation and communication satellites launched earlier were of dual use — civilian and defence.
The PSLV is a four-stage engine expendable rocket with alternating solid and liquid fuel.
In its normal configuration, the rocket would have six strap-on motors hugging its first stage.
But the 44.4-metre tall rocket that lifted off on Thursday had two strap-on motors and its configuration is designated as PSLV-DL.
After the launch of “Microsat R”, the second phase of the mission is now underway.
At about 103rd minute after the lift-off, the rocket’s fourth stage would turn into an orbital platform for Kalamsat at an altitude of 450 km.
The Kalamsat is a payload developed by students and Chennai-based Space Kidz India. It will be the first to use the rocket’s fourth stage as an orbital platform. The fourth stage will be moved to higher circular orbit so as to establish an orbital platform for carrying out experiments, the ISRO had said.
According to Srimathy Kesan, Founder CEO of Space Kidz India, Kalamsat is a 10cm cube, 1.2 kg communication satellite with a life span of two months. The satellite cost is about Rs 12 lakh.
(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.