U R Rao Satellite Centre
The U R Rao Satellite Centre, formerly known as the ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), is the primary center of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the design, development, and realization of all Indian satellites. Located in Bangalore, this facility is named after Udupi Ramachandra Rao, a renowned Indian space scientist who was instrumental in the development of India's space program.
History
- 1972: The Satellite Communication Systems Division (SCSD) was established within ISRO to focus on satellite technology.
- 1976: After the success of the Aryabhata satellite, the Satellite Centre was formed to consolidate satellite activities under one roof.
- 1985: The Satellite Centre was renamed to ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC).
- 2018: Following the death of U R Rao, ISAC was renamed to U R Rao Satellite Centre in his honor.
Functions and Activities
The U R Rao Satellite Centre is responsible for:
- Designing and developing satellite systems including communication, navigation, remote sensing, and scientific satellites.
- Integration, assembly, and testing of satellites before launch.
- Conducting research in space sciences and applications.
- Providing support for satellite operations and data handling.
Facilities
The Centre boasts several state-of-the-art facilities:
- Clean Rooms: For assembly and integration of satellites in a contamination-free environment.
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Facility: To ensure satellite systems can operate in the harsh electromagnetic environment of space.
- Thermal Vacuum Chambers: Simulate space environment conditions for testing.
- Vibration and Acoustic Test Facilities: To test satellites for launch-induced vibrations and acoustic noise.
- Mission Control Centre: For monitoring and controlling satellite operations.
Notable Satellites
Some of the notable satellites developed at U R Rao Satellite Centre include:
External Links
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