SOURCE: AFI

In a significant boost to India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a test launch of a Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from a missile test facility off the Odisha coast on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Developed indigenously by DRDO, the VL-SRSAM is a sophisticated air defense system designed to intercept and neutralize aerial threats such as aircraft and drones. The missile is equipped with advanced technology, including a solid propellant rocket motor and a highly maneuverable flight control system.

SOURCE: AFI

ATR, the French turboprop aircraft manufacturer, is exploring the possibility of setting up an assembly line in India following the government’s decision to extend the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme for another ten years. The regional connectivity scheme, which provides subsidies to airlines operating flights to remote areas, presents a significant opportunity for ATR to expand its presence in the Indian market.

According to Alexis Vidal, ATR’s chief commercial officer, the company is closely evaluating the potential benefits of establishing an assembly line in India. Such a move would not only allow ATR to better serve the growing Indian market but also create jobs and contribute to the country’s aerospace industry.

SOURCE: AFI

Bengaluru-based startup SpaceFields Pvt. Ltd., incubated at the esteemed Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has made significant strides in aerospace technology by successfully unveiling and hot-firing India’s inaugural AeroSpike Rocket Engine. This groundbreaking achievement marks a pivotal moment for the Indian space industry as the country ventures into advanced propulsion systems.

The static-test campaign for the 168mm rocket motor was conducted at the Propulsion test facility at IISc Challakere. Upon ignition, the engine exhibited initial chuffing, which was quickly followed by a stable and steady-state combustion phase. The rocket motor utilized a high-performance HTPB-based composite propellant, demonstrating its capability to deliver substantial thrust and impulse.

SOURCE: AFI

Peggy Whitson, a renowned American astronaut, has expressed her excitement about commanding her second commercial human spaceflight mission with Axiom Space. In her recent social media posts, she highlighted the cultural diversity of the crew and emphasized the mission’s significance in fostering international collaboration and advancing scientific knowledge.

The upcoming Ax4 mission, a joint venture between Axiom Space, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Hungary, and Poland, will mark a significant milestone in space exploration. The mission will send three national astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from India, who has been selected as the prime astronaut.

SOURCE: AFI

India has solidified its position as a global research powerhouse, making significant strides in a wide range of critical technologies. A recent report, the Critical Technology Tracker by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, has revealed that India ranked among the top five countries in 45 out of 64 critical technologies in 2023, a substantial increase from 37 in the previous year.

The report further highlighted India’s remarkable progress in specific technological domains. The country secured the second position in seven technologies, demonstrating its growing expertise in these areas. Notably, India overtook the United States to claim the second spot in two emerging fields of technological research: biological manufacturing and distributed ledger technology.

SOURCE: AFI

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been given the green light to develop two new variants of the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MRBL) system for the Indian Army. One variant will have a range of 150 kilometers, while the other will boast a range of 250 kilometers or more.

The decision to develop these new Pinaka MRBL variants comes in response to the growing demand for the RAMPAGE air-launched rocket system, which is of Israeli origin. The DRDO aims to design the next-generation Pinaka MRBLs with the capability of being launched from fighter jets such as the Jaguar, Su-30, and Mirage-2000.

SOURCE: AFI

Skyroot Aerospace, a leading Indian space technology startup, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nibe Space Private Limited, a subsidiary of Nibe Limited, to launch their constellation of Earth Observation Satellites.

The planned constellation will consist of 40 satellites and is expected to provide high-resolution imagery for strategic interests. This partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies, as it leverages Skyroot’s expertise in launch vehicles and Nibe Space’s focus on satellite technology.

SOURCE: AFI

To bolster its defense export market, Yantra India Limited (YIL) is participating in the Land Forces Exhibition in Melbourne, Australia. The company is showcasing its range of high-performance products, including 155mm shells, to potential international customers.

The exhibition was graced by the presence of the Honorable RRM Shri Sanjay Seth, who was warmly welcomed at the India Pavilion by Shri Rakesh Singh Lal, Director (Finance) of YIL. The YIL team, comprising Shri Vijay Iyer, General Manager, Shri Pranil Bhagat, DGM, Shri Subhash Behra, DGM, Shri Ashish Ramteke, and Shri Shrikant Joshi, was on hand to showcase the company’s capabilities and engage with potential buyers.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is closely monitoring a significant asteroid named ‘Apophis’, which is on a trajectory that will bring it dangerously close to Earth. This asteroid, named after the Egyptian deity of chaos, is expected to make its nearest approach to our planet on April 13, 2029.

ISRO, in recent years, has expanded its focus to include planetary defense, a field dedicated to safeguarding Earth from potential threats posed by extraterrestrial objects. “A large asteroid strike is a real existential threat for humanity,” said an ISRO official. “Our Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) is monitoring Apophis very closely. India will cooperate with all nations to ward off this and other such future threats.”