Tag Archives: spaceship

DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous High-Altitude Airship at 21 Km

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India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight-tested an indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform System (HAPS), reaching an altitude of 21 km and demonstrating its ability to operate for extended periods in the stratosphere.

The experimental flight reached 21 km above mean sea level and the platform remained at around 20 km for more than 30 minutes before being commanded to descend. It was subsequently recovered safely, while flight data collected during the mission was analysed to evaluate the system’s performance.

The trial is a significant step in the development of lighter-than-air platforms designed for long-endurance operations at high altitudes, with potential applications in persistent surveillance, communications and environmental or other monitoring missions.

Platform demonstrates sustained stratospheric operation

During the flight, the HAPS continuously transmitted real-time video and vehicle performance data to a ground control station. The system also carried multiple instrumentation and control systems, including an inertial measurement unit, GPS receiver, onboard cameras and altitude-control mechanisms.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the onboard systems and associated subsystems performed as intended during the trial.

Operating in the stratosphere gives such platforms the potential to remain over an area for significantly longer periods than conventional aircraft, while operating above much of the weather and air traffic encountered at lower altitudes.

The HAPS is being developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), an Agra-based DRDO laboratory. The lighter-than-air platform is intended to provide persistent airborne capability without relying on conventional aircraft for continuous operations.

Multiple agencies involved in flight trial

The trial was conducted with the participation of the Indian Air Force, the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other civil authorities.

The involvement of multiple aviation and defence agencies reflects the operational and regulatory requirements associated with testing a high-altitude platform capable of entering the stratosphere.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Air Force, public sector undertakings and industry partners involved in the programme.

Singh described the successful trial as an important milestone in India’s efforts to develop advanced aerospace technologies domestically and build long-endurance stratospheric platforms.

The latest test provides DRDO with additional flight-performance data as it continues development of the HAPS and evaluates its potential for sustained high-altitude operations.

Tiangong-1 may burn in sky before hitting any city

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China’s first model space station Tiangong-1 is slated to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere between March 30 and April 6, and the possible places where the debris will fall has remained elusive still.

Currently, the 8.5-ton space station is descending into lower orbits, said Aerospace International, a research outfit that advises governments on space. Its calculation is that the space station may hit the northern states of the United States including cities like Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, Des Moines, Milwaukee and Salt Lake City among others.

China has lost control of Tiangong-1 six years ago and Taingong-2 has replaced its role but the out-of-control space station is proving unpredictable for scientists though little damage is expected from its re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere.

Usually, such decommissioned satellite or space station will be forced to self-burn in a controlled process or scheduled to burn up over the ocean to avoid endangering people.

In case of Tiangong-1, China’s space agency had announced two years ago that the space lab was out of control, making it difficult to estimate its re-entry accurately. Few space stations make it to the ground. It was launched to herald China’s entry into space research.

Scientists can predict with accuracy only when the space station gets closer to Earth. The major worry is that the out-of-control Tangong-1 contains hydrazine, which is a colourless liquid that is used in rocket fuels. It could be dangerous if humans get in contact with the liquid, which may cause dermatitis or itchy skin inflammation.

Dr Hugh Lewis from the University of Southampton told the Daily Mail:“When the spacecraft crosses the equator, it’s crossing the road at this point, and it does so really fast." The spaceship will produce a fireball once it enters the Earth’s atmosphere, which will be visible in the sky.

Usually space debris gets burned the moment it enters the earth but in Tiangong-1 case, scientists are predicting that some tiny parts may hit the surface of the earth and now predicting the exact place is taking the centre-stage.