On Thursday, (Nov 6) the Indian Navy commissioned INS Ikshak, at the Kochi Naval Base in Kerala. This marked the Naval Hydrographic vessel's formal entry into service with the maritime force. In simple terms, the role of INS Ikshak and similar vessels is to collect data about the oceans, coastal areas to support safe navigation, marine construction, resource exploration, and Naval operations. The data generated and offered by such vessels supports commercial shipping and Naval operations. A hydrographic survey is the systematic study and mapping of the ocean depth, tides, currents, seabed composition, other oceanic and coastal features that have an impact on navigation, naval operations.<h2>What makes Naval Hydrography so vital?</h2>Naval warfare is much more than conventional warships that operate at the high seas. Indian Navy operates a wide range of vessels including conventional and nuclear-powered submarines, amphibious vessels(which can sail very close to beaches to offload troops, vehicles), anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts etc. &nbsp;Having precise, updated charts on ocean depth, seabed nature, underwater hazards are essential for submarine navigation, mine-laying and minesweeping, amphibious operations.&nbsp;&nbsp;A better understanding of the underwater domain, its topography provides an edge in anti-submarine warfare operations and underwater sensor placement, while enhancing the overall Maritime Domain Awareness(MDA). &nbsp;For example, the propagation of sound in the underwater domain is affected by various factors including depth, pressure, water temperature, salinity and much more. Submarines prowling the depths of the ocean are primarily tracked based on the sound waves that they emit, among other technical parameters. Hydrographic data helps determine where underwater listening devices(sensors) work best, how far they can hear, what tactics are effective and where to place these sensors.&nbsp;Having a thorough and detailed map of a country's Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ extends 200nautical miles from the shores) helps in planning construction and expansion of naval bases, harbour development, laying of undersea cables and pipelines. In contemporary naval strategy, Naval hydrographic surveys are the foundation of maritime power. Immense understanding of the undersea domain is as crucial as control over the sea lanes.&nbsp;<h2>What the Navy leadership said during the commissioning of Ikshak…</h2>Delivering his address at the commissioning ceremony, Indian Navy Chief Admiral DK Tripathi said that Ikshak is the tenth platform to formally enter service with the force this year. He added that the Maritime domain is in a period of profound transformation- driven by geopolitics, technology, and tactics.&nbsp;Referring to the role of Ikshak and its sister ships, he said that the Indian Navy's survey ships fulfil a mission that is fundamental to the naval and commercial domain - they make the seas knowable, navigable and safe. In essence, they reduce our known-unknowns, mile after mile, with every survey they undertake.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Navy Chief emphasized that India's survey ships have rendered hydrographic assistance to Mauritius and Vietnam in the last year. Further, INS Sandhayak, the lead ship of this type of vessels had completed an important deployment to Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, showcasing India's capabilities.<h2>About INS Ikshak</h2>The ship's name 'Ikshak' means "The Guide", symbolizing the mission to chart the unknown, ensure safe passage for mariners, and strengthen India's maritime power. Ikshak is the third ship of the Survey Vessel Large(SVL) class and is the first to be based at the Kochi-headquartered Southern Naval Command. Ikshak's sister ships are Sandhayak and Nirdeshak.&nbsp;Built by Indian firm Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers(GRSE), under the supervision of the Navy's Warship Design Bureau, INS Ikshak measures 110meters in length and 16 meters in breadth. The vessel has a displacement of 3,400tonnes and is operated by 231 personnel (20 officers and 211 sailors).&nbsp;&nbsp;The diesel-powered ship has an endurance of 6,500 nautical miles(12,000kms). Beyond the primary role of hydrographic survey operations, Ikshak is also designed to undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Di9saster Relief(HADR) missions, and as a Hospital ship during emergencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ikshak carries an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle that can survey and inspect till depths of 1,000meters using advanced SONAR and imaging sensors. It also carries a Remotely Operated Vehicle(ROV) that can undertake wreck investigation using HD cameras.

The ship's name 'Ikshak' means "The Guide", symbolizing the mission to chart the unknown, ensure safe passage for mariners, and strengthen India's maritime power.

On Thursday, (Nov 6) the Indian Navy commissioned INS Ikshak, at the Kochi Naval Base in Kerala. This marked the Naval Hydrographic vessel's formal entry into service with the maritime force. In simple terms, the role of INS Ikshak and similar vessels is to collect data about the oceans, coastal areas to support safe navigation, marine construction, resource exploration, and Naval operations. The data generated and offered by such vessels supports commercial shipping and Naval operations. A hydrographic survey is the systematic study and mapping of the ocean depth, tides, currents, seabed composition, other oceanic and coastal features that have an impact on navigation, naval operations. What makes Naval Hydrography so vital? Naval warfare is much more than conventional warships that operate at the high seas. Indian Navy operates a wide range of vessels including conventional and nuclear-powered submarines, amphibious vessels(which can sail very close to beaches to offload troops, vehicles), anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts etc. Having precise, updated charts on ocean depth, seabed nature, underwater hazards are essential for submarine navigation, mine-laying and minesweeping, amphibious operations. A better understanding of the underwater domain, its topography provides an edge in anti-submarine warfare operations and underwater sensor placement, while enhancing the overall Maritime Domain Awareness(MDA). For example, the propagation of sound in the underwater domain is affected by various factors including depth, pressure, water temperature, salinity and much more. Submarines prowling the depths of the ocean are primarily tracked based on the sound waves that they emit, among other technical parameters. Hydrographic data helps determine where underwater listening devices(sensors) work best, how far they can hear, what tactics are effective and where to place these sensors. Having a thorough and detailed map of a country's Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ extends 200nautical miles from the shores) helps in planning construction and expansion of naval bases, harbour development, laying of undersea cables and pipelines. In contemporary naval strategy, Naval hydrographic surveys are the foundation of maritime power. Immense understanding of the undersea domain is as crucial as control over the sea lanes. What the Navy leadership said during the commissioning of Ikshak… Delivering his address at the commissioning ceremony, Indian Navy Chief Admiral DK Tripathi said that Ikshak is the tenth platform to formally enter service with the force this year. He added that the Maritime domain is in a period of profound transformation- driven by geopolitics, technology, and tactics. Referring to the role of Ikshak and its sister ships, he said that the Indian Navy's survey ships fulfil a mission that is fundamental to the naval and commercial domain - they make the seas knowable, navigable and safe. In essence, they reduce our known-unknowns, mile after mile, with every survey they undertake. The Navy Chief emphasized that India's survey ships have rendered hydrographic assistance to Mauritius and Vietnam in the last year. Further, INS Sandhayak, the lead ship of this type of vessels had completed an important deployment to Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, showcasing India's capabilities. About INS Ikshak The ship's name 'Ikshak' means "The Guide", symbolizing the mission to chart the unknown, ensure safe passage for mariners, and strengthen India's maritime power. Ikshak is the third ship of the Survey Vessel Large(SVL) class and is the first to be based at the Kochi-headquartered Southern Naval Command. Ikshak's sister ships are Sandhayak and Nirdeshak. Built by Indian firm Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers(GRSE), under the supervision of the Navy's Warship Design Bureau, INS Ikshak measures 110meters in length and 16 meters in breadth. The vessel has a displacement of 3,400tonnes and is operated by 231 personnel (20 officers and 211 sailors). The diesel-powered ship has an endurance of 6,500 nautical miles(12,000kms). Beyond the primary role of hydrographic survey operations, Ikshak is also designed to undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Di9saster Relief(HADR) missions, and as a Hospital ship during emergencies. Ikshak carries an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle that can survey and inspect till depths of 1,000meters using advanced SONAR and imaging sensors. It also carries a Remotely Operated Vehicle(ROV) that can undertake wreck investigation using HD cameras.

The ship's name 'Ikshak' means "The Guide", symbolizing the mission to chart the unknown, ensure safe passage for mariners, and strengthen India's maritime power.

INS Ikshak- Indian Navy's strategic ocean pathfinder ship

In line with the Indian Navy marathons that are held annually in Mumbai, Kochi, Visakhapatnam and other cities, Chennai will have its first-ever Indian Navy marathon on December 14th, 2025. The maiden Indian Navy Half Marathon in Chennai aims to promote causes like a Drug-Free India, Women Power and a stand against online betting and gambling.&nbsp;The Navy Chennai Half Marathon 2025 features three race categories—the INS Adyar Half Marathon Run for 21.1 km, INS Parundu Run for 10 km and INS Pallava Run for 5 km—all originating from near the Napier Bridge in Chennai and ending at INS Adyar Beach, the entire marathon route lies along the scenic Marina Beach Road. The inaugural edition of the Indian Navy Half Marathon Chennai 2025 offers a prize pool of Rs. 10,00,000 for runners across various categories.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-vote-for-nda-will-rename-bihar-s-mohiuddinnagar-as-mohan-nagar-yogi-adityanath-1762264058102">‘Vote for NDA, will rename Bihar’s Mohiuddinnagar as Mohan Nagar’: Yogi Adityanath</a>&nbsp;The event also celebrates the unique spirit of camaraderie, as civilians would have an opportunity to run shoulder-to-shoulder with defence personnel, embodying unity, discipline, and national pride.&nbsp;Speaking at the jersey unveiling event, Commodore Suvarat Magon, Naval Officer In-Charge (Tamil Nadu &amp; Puducherry Naval Area), Indian Navy, said, “The maiden Indian Navy Chennai Half Marathon is not just a run but a movement that unites people for fitness, pride, and purpose. Running alongside the Indian Navy offers citizens a unique opportunity to feel the spirit of service and discipline. We hope to inspire every participant to be an ambassador of positive change.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/towering-republican-and-46th-us-vice-president-dick-cheney-dies-at-84-1762257177051">Towering Republican and 46th US vice president Dick Cheney dies at 84</a>&nbsp;He added that there were more than 3,000 registrations already and that the Navy expects around 6,000-8,000 runners to take part.&nbsp;The Chennai Navy Half Marathon is part of the larger series of Navy Half Marathons held across the country, inspiring citizens to embrace health and fitness, while strengthening the bond between the armed forces and the&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-indirectly-funded-zohran-mamdani-for-new-york-election-here-s-what-linda-sarsour-claims-1762256012649">Hamas indirectly funded Zohran Mamdani for New York election? Here’s what Linda Sarsour claims</a>&nbsp;The Chennai Navy Half Marathon also forms a part of the larger series of Navy Half Marathons held across the country, inspiring citizens to embrace health and fitness while strengthening the bond between the community and encouraging participation of public in the Fit India movement.

The inaugural edition of the Indian Navy Half Marathon Chennai 2025 offers a prize pool of Rs. 10,00,000 for runners across various categories. It also celebrates the unique spirit of camaraderie, as civilians would have an opportunity to run shoulder-to-shoulder with defence personnel.

In line with the Indian Navy marathons that are held annually in Mumbai, Kochi, Visakhapatnam and other cities, Chennai will have its first-ever Indian Navy marathon on December 14th, 2025. The maiden Indian Navy Half Marathon in Chennai aims to promote causes like a Drug-Free India, Women Power and a stand against online betting and gambling. The Navy Chennai Half Marathon 2025 features three race categories—the INS Adyar Half Marathon Run for 21.1 km, INS Parundu Run for 10 km and INS Pallava Run for 5 km—all originating from near the Napier Bridge in Chennai and ending at INS Adyar Beach, the entire marathon route lies along the scenic Marina Beach Road. The inaugural edition of the Indian Navy Half Marathon Chennai 2025 offers a prize pool of Rs. 10,00,000 for runners across various categories. Also Read: ‘Vote for NDA, will rename Bihar’s Mohiuddinnagar as Mohan Nagar’: Yogi Adityanath The event also celebrates the unique spirit of camaraderie, as civilians would have an opportunity to run shoulder-to-shoulder with defence personnel, embodying unity, discipline, and national pride. Speaking at the jersey unveiling event, Commodore Suvarat Magon, Naval Officer In-Charge (Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area), Indian Navy, said, “The maiden Indian Navy Chennai Half Marathon is not just a run but a movement that unites people for fitness, pride, and purpose. Running alongside the Indian Navy offers citizens a unique opportunity to feel the spirit of service and discipline. We hope to inspire every participant to be an ambassador of positive change.” Also Read: Towering Republican and 46th US vice president Dick Cheney dies at 84 He added that there were more than 3,000 registrations already and that the Navy expects around 6,000-8,000 runners to take part. The Chennai Navy Half Marathon is part of the larger series of Navy Half Marathons held across the country, inspiring citizens to embrace health and fitness, while strengthening the bond between the armed forces and the Also Read: Hamas indirectly funded Zohran Mamdani for New York election? Here’s what Linda Sarsour claims The Chennai Navy Half Marathon also forms a part of the larger series of Navy Half Marathons held across the country, inspiring citizens to embrace health and fitness while strengthening the bond between the community and encouraging participation of public in the Fit India movement.

The inaugural edition of the Indian Navy Half Marathon Chennai 2025 offers a prize pool of Rs. 10,00,000 for runners across various categories. It also celebrates the unique spirit of camaraderie, as civilians would have an opportunity to run shoulder-to-shoulder with defence personnel.

Indian Navy’s maiden Chennai marathon slated for Dec 14th

GSAT-7R or CMS-03, India's largest military communications satellite, will enable secure and real-time data, video, and voice connectivity between Indian Navy ships, submarines, aircraft, and Maritime Operations Centres, the Navy said. This indigenously built satellite is to be launched by India's largest rocket LVM3 from ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 5:26 pm Sunday (2nd Nov).The 4,400 kg GSAT-7R is India's heaviest military communication satellite and the heaviest satellite that will be launched from home soil. According to the Indian Navy, the satellite carries components that were specifically developed to meet its operational requirements. The satellite is meant to provide telecommunications coverage across the Indian Ocean region and enhance the Navy's space-based communications and maritime domain awareness capabilities.After liftoff at 5:26 pm on Sunday, the three-stage rocket is expected to complete the mission in about 16 minutes. The satellite will be hurled into a lower initial orbit and then gradually raised into the destined orbit over the next few weeks.Eventually, all heavy communication satellites are placed in geostationary orbit, which is about 36,000 km above the Earth's equator. From there, the satellite will be able to provide coverage for about one-third of the Earth. In this case, the CMS-03 will be placed above India, so that it can provide coverage in the vast maritime region surrounding India.The CMS-03/GSAT-7R is a replacement for the ageing GSAT-7 that ISRO built for the Indian Navy in 2013. The 2,650 kg GSAT-7 was launched from overseas aboard Europe's Ariane rocket in August 2013, as ISRO did not possess the capability to lift such a heavy satellite at the time. Therefore, ISRO paid the European firm to ferry the Indian satellite to space.&nbsp; &nbsp;

India will launch GSAT-7R (CMS-03), its largest military communication satellite, aboard the LVM3 rocket from Sriharikota at 5:26 pm on Sunday (Nov 2). Weighing 4,400 kg, the indigenously built satellite will boost secure naval communication and replace the ageing GSAT-7 launched in 2013.


GSAT-7R or CMS-03, India's largest military communications satellite, will enable secure and real-time data, video, and voice connectivity between Indian Navy ships, submarines, aircraft, and Maritime Operations Centres, the Navy said. This indigenously built satellite is to be launched by India's largest rocket LVM3 from ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 5:26 pm Sunday (2nd Nov). The 4,400 kg GSAT-7R is India's heaviest military communication satellite and the heaviest satellite that will be launched from home soil. According to the Indian Navy, the satellite carries components that were specifically developed to meet its operational requirements. The satellite is meant to provide telecommunications coverage across the Indian Ocean region and enhance the Navy's space-based communications and maritime domain awareness capabilities. After liftoff at 5:26 pm on Sunday, the three-stage rocket is expected to complete the mission in about 16 minutes. The satellite will be hurled into a lower initial orbit and then gradually raised into the destined orbit over the next few weeks. Eventually, all heavy communication satellites are placed in geostationary orbit, which is about 36,000 km above the Earth's equator. From there, the satellite will be able to provide coverage for about one-third of the Earth. In this case, the CMS-03 will be placed above India, so that it can provide coverage in the vast maritime region surrounding India. The CMS-03/GSAT-7R is a replacement for the ageing GSAT-7 that ISRO built for the Indian Navy in 2013. The 2,650 kg GSAT-7 was launched from overseas aboard Europe's Ariane rocket in August 2013, as ISRO did not possess the capability to lift such a heavy satellite at the time. Therefore, ISRO paid the European firm to ferry the Indian satellite to space.

India will launch GSAT-7R (CMS-03), its largest military communication satellite, aboard the LVM3 rocket from Sriharikota at 5:26 pm on Sunday (Nov 2). Weighing 4,400 kg, the indigenously built satellite will boost secure naval communication and replace the ageing GSAT-7 launched in 2013.

ISRO's GSAT-7R will enable real-time data and video link for Indian Navy's ships, aircraft

Indian Space agency ISRO commenced a 24-hour countdown at 5:26 pm IST, Saturday, (1st Nov), ahead of the launch of the CMS-03/GSAT-7R communication satellite that is scheduled for 5:26 pm, Sunday (2nd Nov). The satellite is meant to provide connectivity between the Indian Navy’s diverse assets and their bases. The 4,400 kg CMS-03 is the heaviest communication satellite to be launched by ISRO from home soil. This is ISRO’s fourth rocket launch mission of 2025.&nbsp;Sunday’s launch mission will be carried out by the LVM3 rocket, which is India’s largest spacefaring vehicle. This will be the 8th flight of the LVM3 vehicle. Thus far, the LVM3 has had an unmatched track record and has delivered successes in all 7 launches.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/did-isro-s-lvm3-rocket-gain10-lifting-power-to-carry-gsat-7r-1761717211765">Did ISRO's LVM3 rocket gain 10% lifting power to carry GSAT-7R?</a>&nbsp;After lift-off at 5:26 pm on Sunday, the three-stage rocket is expected to complete the mission in about 16 minutes. The satellite will be hurled into a lower initial orbit and then gradually raised into the destined orbit over the next few weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;Eventually, all heavy communication satellites are placed in a geostationary orbit, which is about 36,000 km above the Earth’s equator. From there, the satellite will be able to provide coverage for about one-third of the Earth. In this case, the CMS-03 will be placed above India, so that it can provide coverage in the vast maritime region surrounding India.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tanzania-president-samia-wins-again-bags-98-votes-hundreds-feared-dead-in-election-unrest-1762002943059">Tanzania President Samia wins again, bags 98% votes; hundreds feared dead in election unrest</a>&nbsp;The CMS-03/GSAT-7R is a replacement for the ageing GSAT-7 that ISRO built for the Indian Navy in 2013. The 2,650 kg GSAT-7 was launched from overseas aboard Europe’s Ariane rocket in August 2013, as ISRO did not possess the capability to lift such a heavy satellite at the time. Therefore, ISRO paid the European firm to ferry the Indian satellite to space.

All heavy communication satellites are placed in a geostationary orbit, 36,000 km above the Earth’s equator, from where they provide coverage for about one-third of the Earth. The CMS-03 will be placed above India so that it can provide coverage in the vast maritime region surrounding India.

Indian Space agency ISRO commenced a 24-hour countdown at 5:26 pm IST, Saturday, (1st Nov), ahead of the launch of the CMS-03/GSAT-7R communication satellite that is scheduled for 5:26 pm, Sunday (2nd Nov). The satellite is meant to provide connectivity between the Indian Navy’s diverse assets and their bases. The 4,400 kg CMS-03 is the heaviest communication satellite to be launched by ISRO from home soil. This is ISRO’s fourth rocket launch mission of 2025. Sunday’s launch mission will be carried out by the LVM3 rocket, which is India’s largest spacefaring vehicle. This will be the 8th flight of the LVM3 vehicle. Thus far, the LVM3 has had an unmatched track record and has delivered successes in all 7 launches. Also Read: Did ISRO's LVM3 rocket gain 10% lifting power to carry GSAT-7R? After lift-off at 5:26 pm on Sunday, the three-stage rocket is expected to complete the mission in about 16 minutes. The satellite will be hurled into a lower initial orbit and then gradually raised into the destined orbit over the next few weeks. Eventually, all heavy communication satellites are placed in a geostationary orbit, which is about 36,000 km above the Earth’s equator. From there, the satellite will be able to provide coverage for about one-third of the Earth. In this case, the CMS-03 will be placed above India, so that it can provide coverage in the vast maritime region surrounding India. Also Read: Tanzania President Samia wins again, bags 98% votes; hundreds feared dead in election unrest The CMS-03/GSAT-7R is a replacement for the ageing GSAT-7 that ISRO built for the Indian Navy in 2013. The 2,650 kg GSAT-7 was launched from overseas aboard Europe’s Ariane rocket in August 2013, as ISRO did not possess the capability to lift such a heavy satellite at the time. Therefore, ISRO paid the European firm to ferry the Indian satellite to space.

All heavy communication satellites are placed in a geostationary orbit, 36,000 km above the Earth’s equator, from where they provide coverage for about one-third of the Earth. The CMS-03 will be placed above India so that it can provide coverage in the vast maritime region surrounding India.

ISRO commences 24-hour countdown to launch of India’s largest military satellite

The Chinese Manned Space Agency(CMSA) announced on Thursday (30th Oct) that they would train two Pakistani astronauts, one of whom would later join the Chinese crew on a short-duration mission to China's Tiangong Space Station. This Pakistani astronaut, who would eventually be chosen for undertaking human spaceflight, would be the first foreign visitor to the Chinese Space Station. China is Pakistan's main backer when it comes to space technology.While the decades-old International Space Station is a multilateral effort that involves the US, Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe, China has been operating its own full-fledged Tiangong (literal meaning Heavenly Palace) space station since late 2022. Like the International Space Station, its Chinese counterpart serves as a lab that circles 400 km above the Earth, hosts a wide range of experiments and a permanent crew of astronauts.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-world-changing-threat-thousands-mysterious-underwater-ufos-spotted-near-us-shores-ex-navy-admiral-warns-1761547551599">'World-changing' threat? Thousands of mysterious underwater UFOs spotted near US shores; ex-Navy admiral warns...</a>"According to the plan, two selected Pakistani astronauts will undergo training along with Chinese astronauts. One of them will be scheduled to carry out a short-duration flight mission as a payload expert based on the mid-term plan for the Chinese space station and the cooperation process," announced Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson of the CMSA. During the mission, the astronaut, in addition to performing routine duties, will also conduct scientific experiments for Pakistan, it was revealed.Following the signing of a cooperation agreement between China and Pakistan in February this year, the official selection process for Pakistani astronauts has been launched, according to the CMSA spokesperson.China's astronaut selection process consists of three stages: preliminary selection, secondary selection, and final selection. In the case of the Pakistani astronaut, the preliminary stage is being carried out in Pakistan, while the secondary and final selections will take place in China, said the spokesperson.Preparations for the secondary selection phase are already underway, including training programs, teaching materials, training equipment, and logistical support for daily life during the training period.While Pakistan has a space agency by the name SUPARCO, its independent activities are very limited, and they do not possess spacefaring rockets. Most of Pakistan's satellites are built with assistance from China, and their launches are carried out on Chinese rockets from Chinese soil."We're proactive in selecting foreign astronauts to participate in flight missions to the Chinese space station, facilitating international cooperation and exchange. We welcome counterparts from all over the world to participate in Chinese space station expeditions," said Zhang Jingbo.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-like-watching-a-living-galaxy-unfurl-beneath-you-shubhanshu-shukla-shares-breathtaking-diwali-spectacle-of-india-from-space-station-watch-video-1761020335036">'Like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you': Shubhanshu Shukla shares breathtaking Diwali spectacle of India from space station. Watch video</a><h2>In 2025, an Indian astronaut flew to the International Space Station</h2>In June 2025, Indian Air Force Test Pilot, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, flew to the International Space Station(ISS) as part of the American Axiom-4 mission, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon craft. Shukla became the second Indian to fly to space, and he did so 41 years after the Soviet mission that carried India's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma to the then Salyut-7 Soviet Space station.While Rakesh Sharma's mission was done during the nascent stage of the Indian Space Programme, Shukla's Axiom-4 flight is meant to serve as a precursor and training mission for India's own Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. As part of Gaganyaan, India's space agency ISRO is working towards independently launching Indian astronauts on an Indian rocket and capsule to circle the earth, perform basic experiments within the capsule, and return safely for a splashdown landing. India hopes to accomplish Gaganyaan by the end of the decade, and also has long-term plans of building an independent space station.&nbsp;

"According to the plan, two selected Pakistani astronauts will undergo training along with Chinese astronauts," announced Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson of the Chinese Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The Chinese Manned Space Agency(CMSA) announced on Thursday (30th Oct) that they would train two Pakistani astronauts, one of whom would later join the Chinese crew on a short-duration mission to China's Tiangong Space Station. This Pakistani astronaut, who would eventually be chosen for undertaking human spaceflight, would be the first foreign visitor to the Chinese Space Station. China is Pakistan's main backer when it comes to space technology. While the decades-old International Space Station is a multilateral effort that involves the US, Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe, China has been operating its own full-fledged Tiangong (literal meaning Heavenly Palace) space station since late 2022. Like the International Space Station, its Chinese counterpart serves as a lab that circles 400 km above the Earth, hosts a wide range of experiments and a permanent crew of astronauts. Also read | 'World-changing' threat? Thousands of mysterious underwater UFOs spotted near US shores; ex-Navy admiral warns... "According to the plan, two selected Pakistani astronauts will undergo training along with Chinese astronauts. One of them will be scheduled to carry out a short-duration flight mission as a payload expert based on the mid-term plan for the Chinese space station and the cooperation process," announced Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson of the CMSA. During the mission, the astronaut, in addition to performing routine duties, will also conduct scientific experiments for Pakistan, it was revealed. Following the signing of a cooperation agreement between China and Pakistan in February this year, the official selection process for Pakistani astronauts has been launched, according to the CMSA spokesperson. China's astronaut selection process consists of three stages: preliminary selection, secondary selection, and final selection. In the case of the Pakistani astronaut, the preliminary stage is being carried out in Pakistan, while the secondary and final selections will take place in China, said the spokesperson. Preparations for the secondary selection phase are already underway, including training programs, teaching materials, training equipment, and logistical support for daily life during the training period. While Pakistan has a space agency by the name SUPARCO, its independent activities are very limited, and they do not possess spacefaring rockets. Most of Pakistan's satellites are built with assistance from China, and their launches are carried out on Chinese rockets from Chinese soil. "We're proactive in selecting foreign astronauts to participate in flight missions to the Chinese space station, facilitating international cooperation and exchange. We welcome counterparts from all over the world to participate in Chinese space station expeditions," said Zhang Jingbo. Also read | 'Like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you': Shubhanshu Shukla shares breathtaking Diwali spectacle of India from space station. Watch video In 2025, an Indian astronaut flew to the International Space Station In June 2025, Indian Air Force Test Pilot, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, flew to the International Space Station(ISS) as part of the American Axiom-4 mission, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon craft. Shukla became the second Indian to fly to space, and he did so 41 years after the Soviet mission that carried India's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma to the then Salyut-7 Soviet Space station. While Rakesh Sharma's mission was done during the nascent stage of the Indian Space Programme, Shukla's Axiom-4 flight is meant to serve as a precursor and training mission for India's own Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. As part of Gaganyaan, India's space agency ISRO is working towards independently launching Indian astronauts on an Indian rocket and capsule to circle the earth, perform basic experiments within the capsule, and return safely for a splashdown landing. India hopes to accomplish Gaganyaan by the end of the decade, and also has long-term plans of building an independent space station.

"According to the plan, two selected Pakistani astronauts will undergo training along with Chinese astronauts," announced Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson of the Chinese Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

Pakistani astronaut to visit Chinese Space Station; to be first foreign visitor there

Indian space agency ISRO is gearing up for the launch of CMS-03 (originally known as GSAT-7R), a 4,400kg communication satellite meant for the Indian Navy. Scheduled for liftoff at 5:26pm Indian time, Sunday, (2nd Nov), the launch mission is to be carried out by India's largest rocket, the LVM3. While the LVM3 is known to lift a maximum of 4,000kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), this mission will witness the rocket lift a 10% heavier payload(weighing 4,400kg) to orbit.&nbsp;&nbsp;GTO is an initial parking orbit into which communication and TV broadcast satellites are launched. Satellites remain in GTO for barely a week, after which they are gradually pushed to their designated orbits. GTO is an elliptical or egg-shaped orbit, where the satellite circles very close above the Earth and then moves very far away from the Earth, all in a single orbit. Typically, a satellite in a GTO orbit would be 200kms above Earth at its nearest approach (perigee) and about 36,000kms above the Earth at its farthest approach (apogee).&nbsp;&nbsp;After successfully completing the initial system checks of the satellite while at GTO, commands are issued to fire the satellite's thrusters to circularize the orbit. This is done to make sure that the satellite is equidistant from the earth - it is placed about 36,000kms above the Earth's equator. This 36,000km circular orbit is known as a Geostationary orbit, which means that the satellite is exactly in sync with the Earth's 24-hour rotation. Therefore, a satellite placed 36,000kms above the Indian landmass would always remain above the Indian landmass, because its rotation is in sync with the Earth. For context, this is why DTH TV antennae are all permanently pointing to a fixed location in the sky- they are oriented towards a specific satellite. A satellite placed in Geostationary orbit can broadcast its signals to about one-third of the Earth.&nbsp;<h2>How did the LVM3 gain 10% lifting power ?&nbsp;</h2>The CMS-03 satellite weighs 4,400kg, which is 10% heavier than the existing lifting capability of 4,000kg. In this mission known as LVM3-M5/CMS-03, ISRO is not adding any additional lifting power, ISRO has not used more powerful engines or other methods to enhance the lifting capability. Instead, ISRO will be attempting to launch the satellite into an orbit slightly lower than GTO. Think of it as efficiency and optimization, instead of raw power.&nbsp;&nbsp;ISRO's LVM3 rocket has not gained any lifting power. ISRO is merely planning and executing the launch in such a way that a heavier load can be carried to a lower orbit, instead of carrying it to the intended GTO orbit. "During the Chandrayaan launches using the LVM3 rocket, the LVM3 carried the 4,000kg satellite well above the designated GTO. That shows that the rocket is capable of lifting a 4,000kg mass well above the intended orbit. In the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, the LVM3 will place the 4,400kg satellite in an orbit that is slightly below the GTO. From there on, we can use the satellite engines to push the satellite into the intended Geostationary orbit," ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan explained to WION.&nbsp;&nbsp;In simple terms, let's say that an elevator can carry 10 people and lift them to the 10th storey of a building. But when 11 people get in, it can only go up to the 7th floor. The passengers will have to get down at the 7th floor and then climb to the 10th floor. The elevator has not become more powerful to lift 11 people, instead, the effort is being distributed differently between the elevator and the passengers. Similarly, the LVM3 has not become more powerful, instead, the rocket and satellite are distributing the effort among themselves.&nbsp;Usually, the apogee(farthest point from Earth) for a GTO satellite would be around 36,000kms. In this mission, the rocket would place the satellite at an apogee of nearly 30,000kms. Thereafter, the satellite will spend its own fuel to fire its engines and raise the orbit to 36,000 and then get into a perfect Geostationary orbit. Owing to the lack of powerful rockets, ISRO has been optimizing its missions for better efficiency. For example, NASA's Apollo 11 took a direct 4-day path to the moon, whereas India's Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 took about 40 days to reach the moon by gradually raising the orbit using satellite thrusters. This was done to compensate for India's lack of a powerful rocket that can hurl the satellite directly on a path to the moon. That is why India undertook a circuitous journey to the moon.&nbsp;<h2>What is CMS-03 ? What purpose does it serve ?&nbsp;</h2>CMS-03 or GSAT-7R is a successor to the GSAT-7, a communication satellite that ISRO built for the Indian Navy. The satellite is meant to enable communications between Indian Naval assets, their bases, headquarters. GSAT-7, a 2,650kg satellite was launched by the European Ariane-5 rocket on a commercial basis for the Indian Government. The launch was carried out from Kourou, French Guiana, on 30th August 2013. The satellite had been designed and built to have a mission life of more than seven years. The launch of GSAT-7R comes 12 years after the launch of GSAT-7.&nbsp;According to ISRO, CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass. ISRO has not explicitly stated that the satellite is meant for use by the Indian Navy. Considering the coverage ranges provided by communication satellites placed 36,000kms above the equator, it would be safe to assume that the CMS-03 offers coverage in the vast region between East Africa and South China Sea.

Did ISRO's LVM3 rocket gain10% lifting power to carry GSAT-7R? 

Indian space agency ISRO is gearing up for the launch of CMS-03 (originally known as GSAT-7R), a 4,400kg communication satellite meant for the Indian Navy. Scheduled for liftoff at 5:26pm Indian time, Sunday, (2nd Nov), the launch mission is to be carried out by India's largest rocket, the LVM3. While the LVM3 is known to lift a maximum of 4,000kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), this mission will witness the rocket lift a 10% heavier payload(weighing 4,400kg) to orbit. GTO is an initial parking orbit into which communication and TV broadcast satellites are launched. Satellites remain in GTO for barely a week, after which they are gradually pushed to their designated orbits. GTO is an elliptical or egg-shaped orbit, where the satellite circles very close above the Earth and then moves very far away from the Earth, all in a single orbit. Typically, a satellite in a GTO orbit would be 200kms above Earth at its nearest approach (perigee) and about 36,000kms above the Earth at its farthest approach (apogee). After successfully completing the initial system checks of the satellite while at GTO, commands are issued to fire the satellite's thrusters to circularize the orbit. This is done to make sure that the satellite is equidistant from the earth - it is placed about 36,000kms above the Earth's equator. This 36,000km circular orbit is known as a Geostationary orbit, which means that the satellite is exactly in sync with the Earth's 24-hour rotation. Therefore, a satellite placed 36,000kms above the Indian landmass would always remain above the Indian landmass, because its rotation is in sync with the Earth. For context, this is why DTH TV antennae are all permanently pointing to a fixed location in the sky- they are oriented towards a specific satellite. A satellite placed in Geostationary orbit can broadcast its signals to about one-third of the Earth. How did the LVM3 gain 10% lifting power ? The CMS-03 satellite weighs 4,400kg, which is 10% heavier than the existing lifting capability of 4,000kg. In this mission known as LVM3-M5/CMS-03, ISRO is not adding any additional lifting power, ISRO has not used more powerful engines or other methods to enhance the lifting capability. Instead, ISRO will be attempting to launch the satellite into an orbit slightly lower than GTO. Think of it as efficiency and optimization, instead of raw power. ISRO's LVM3 rocket has not gained any lifting power. ISRO is merely planning and executing the launch in such a way that a heavier load can be carried to a lower orbit, instead of carrying it to the intended GTO orbit. "During the Chandrayaan launches using the LVM3 rocket, the LVM3 carried the 4,000kg satellite well above the designated GTO. That shows that the rocket is capable of lifting a 4,000kg mass well above the intended orbit. In the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, the LVM3 will place the 4,400kg satellite in an orbit that is slightly below the GTO. From there on, we can use the satellite engines to push the satellite into the intended Geostationary orbit," ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan explained to WION. In simple terms, let's say that an elevator can carry 10 people and lift them to the 10th storey of a building. But when 11 people get in, it can only go up to the 7th floor. The passengers will have to get down at the 7th floor and then climb to the 10th floor. The elevator has not become more powerful to lift 11 people, instead, the effort is being distributed differently between the elevator and the passengers. Similarly, the LVM3 has not become more powerful, instead, the rocket and satellite are distributing the effort among themselves. Usually, the apogee(farthest point from Earth) for a GTO satellite would be around 36,000kms. In this mission, the rocket would place the satellite at an apogee of nearly 30,000kms. Thereafter, the satellite will spend its own fuel to fire its engines and raise the orbit to 36,000 and then get into a perfect Geostationary orbit. Owing to the lack of powerful rockets, ISRO has been optimizing its missions for better efficiency. For example, NASA's Apollo 11 took a direct 4-day path to the moon, whereas India's Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 took about 40 days to reach the moon by gradually raising the orbit using satellite thrusters. This was done to compensate for India's lack of a powerful rocket that can hurl the satellite directly on a path to the moon. That is why India undertook a circuitous journey to the moon. What is CMS-03 ? What purpose does it serve ? CMS-03 or GSAT-7R is a successor to the GSAT-7, a communication satellite that ISRO built for the Indian Navy. The satellite is meant to enable communications between Indian Naval assets, their bases, headquarters. GSAT-7, a 2,650kg satellite was launched by the European Ariane-5 rocket on a commercial basis for the Indian Government. The launch was carried out from Kourou, French Guiana, on 30th August 2013. The satellite had been designed and built to have a mission life of more than seven years. The launch of GSAT-7R comes 12 years after the launch of GSAT-7. According to ISRO, CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass. ISRO has not explicitly stated that the satellite is meant for use by the Indian Navy. Considering the coverage ranges provided by communication satellites placed 36,000kms above the equator, it would be safe to assume that the CMS-03 offers coverage in the vast region between East Africa and South China Sea.

GTO is an initial parking orbit into which communication and TV broadcast satellites are launched. Satellites remain in GTO for barely a week, after which they are gradually pushed to their designated orbits

Did ISRO's LVM3 rocket gain10% lifting power to carry GSAT-7R?

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert over a severe cyclonic storm that is likely to have an impact along India's southeast, predominantly coastal Andhra Pradesh, next week.According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the weather system brewing near the Andaman archipelago off India's East coast could intensify into a cyclone by Monday, (27th Oct). If this weather system intensifies into a cyclone, this will be the first one of the ongoing Northeast monsoon season. When a cyclone forms, it is assigned a name from a list of options provided by nations in the region.A low-pressure area had formed over the Southeast Bay of Bengal as of Friday, (Oct 24). The system concentrated into a Depression on Saturday morning, and is expected to intensify into a Deep Depression by Sunday and further concentrate into a Cyclonic Storm by Monday.&nbsp; At present, it lies about 400 km west-southwest of Port Blair, Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands and about 900 km east-southeast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.Over the next couple of days, it is expected to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday, (Oct 28). IMD has forecast that the weather system is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh near Kakinada. At the time of crossing the coast on Tuesday, the wind speeds are likely to be 90-110kmph.Owing to this evolving weather system, heavy rainfall has been predicted for several districts along coastal Tamil Nadu over the weekend.&nbsp; For Monday (Oct 27), IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall (between 6-20cms) for Chennai and adjoining districts.Active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon brings rains across parts of the southeastern coast of India in the final three months of the year. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry.The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December.The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.

IMD has forecast that the weather system is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh near Kakinada. At the time of crossing the coast on Tuesday, the wind speeds are likely to be 90-110kmph.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert over a severe cyclonic storm that is likely to have an impact along India's southeast, predominantly coastal Andhra Pradesh, next week. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the weather system brewing near the Andaman archipelago off India's East coast could intensify into a cyclone by Monday, (27th Oct). If this weather system intensifies into a cyclone, this will be the first one of the ongoing Northeast monsoon season. When a cyclone forms, it is assigned a name from a list of options provided by nations in the region. A low-pressure area had formed over the Southeast Bay of Bengal as of Friday, (Oct 24). The system concentrated into a Depression on Saturday morning, and is expected to intensify into a Deep Depression by Sunday and further concentrate into a Cyclonic Storm by Monday. At present, it lies about 400 km west-southwest of Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and about 900 km east-southeast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Over the next couple of days, it is expected to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday, (Oct 28). IMD has forecast that the weather system is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh near Kakinada. At the time of crossing the coast on Tuesday, the wind speeds are likely to be 90-110kmph. Owing to this evolving weather system, heavy rainfall has been predicted for several districts along coastal Tamil Nadu over the weekend. For Monday (Oct 27), IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall (between 6-20cms) for Chennai and adjoining districts. Active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon brings rains across parts of the southeastern coast of India in the final three months of the year. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December. The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.

IMD has forecast that the weather system is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh near Kakinada. At the time of crossing the coast on Tuesday, the wind speeds are likely to be 90-110kmph.

India: IMD issues alert for severe cyclonic storm; landfall in Andhra on Oct 28

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the well-marked low-pressure area off India's southeast coast is likely to move northwestwards across North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh by Thursday, 23rd October. The IMD has issued a rainfall warning for multiple coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including the capital city Chennai and adjoining regions. The rainfall warning is applicable until Friday, 24th October.In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than that of the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain and cloudy skies. A depression is an intense low-pressure area that brings moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.Owing to the evolving weather system, fishermen have been advised not to venture out at sea through this week, as winds would be gusting at 55-70 kmph along the Tamil Nadu coast and the South Andhra Pradesh coast. Fishermen who are out at sea have also been advised to return to shore.Meanwhile, the well-marked low-pressure area off India's southwest has intensified into a depression, and it is likely to move north-northwestwards by Thursday. As of Wednesday, the system is over 500 km west-southwest of Amindivi, Lakshadweep. Owing to this, rough sea conditions and gusty winds are expected to prevail along the Kerala-Karnataka coasts, through this week. Fishermen in that region have also been advised not to venture out.It has been a week since the IMD announced the start of Northeast Monsoon rainfall activity over India's Southeastern coastal region, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry &amp; Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Southwestern regions such as South Interior Karnataka and Kerala-Mahe.Active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon brings rains across parts of the southeastern coast of India in the final three months of the year. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry.The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December.

In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than that of the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased humidity and rainfall.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the well-marked low-pressure area off India's southeast coast is likely to move northwestwards across North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh by Thursday, 23rd October. The IMD has issued a rainfall warning for multiple coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including the capital city Chennai and adjoining regions. The rainfall warning is applicable until Friday, 24th October. In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than that of the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain and cloudy skies. A depression is an intense low-pressure area that brings moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. Owing to the evolving weather system, fishermen have been advised not to venture out at sea through this week, as winds would be gusting at 55-70 kmph along the Tamil Nadu coast and the South Andhra Pradesh coast. Fishermen who are out at sea have also been advised to return to shore. Meanwhile, the well-marked low-pressure area off India's southwest has intensified into a depression, and it is likely to move north-northwestwards by Thursday. As of Wednesday, the system is over 500 km west-southwest of Amindivi, Lakshadweep. Owing to this, rough sea conditions and gusty winds are expected to prevail along the Kerala-Karnataka coasts, through this week. Fishermen in that region have also been advised not to venture out. It has been a week since the IMD announced the start of Northeast Monsoon rainfall activity over India's Southeastern coastal region, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Southwestern regions such as South Interior Karnataka and Kerala-Mahe. Active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon brings rains across parts of the southeastern coast of India in the final three months of the year. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December.

In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than that of the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased humidity and rainfall.

India: Weather system likely to move across North Tamil Nadu, South Andhra coast, says IMD

Less than a week after the onset of the Northeast monsoon, there are two weather systems brewing off the Indian Southwest coast and the Southeast coast. As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a well marked low pressure area near Lakshadweep area, off India's southwest coast, is likely to intensify into a depression over the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, a low pressure area is expected to form off the Indian southeast coast, and intensify into a depression over the next 48hours.In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased, humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain, cloudy skies. A depression is an intense low-pressure area that brins moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds.Owing to these weather systems, wind speeds of upto 55kmph are forecast along the Southeast coast and the Southwest coast until 24th October, Friday. Fishermen have been advised to not venture out along the Kerala-Karnataka coast, the Lakshadweep region, Tamil Nadu Coast, Palk Straits, among others.Through this week, there is a rainfall warning for over a dozen districts across Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and adjoining districts. The forecast suggests that there could be very heavy rain (12-20cms in 24 hours) or heavy rain (7-11cms) in multiple districts across Tamil Nadu.The ongoing Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.&nbsp;

The ongoing Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. 

Less than a week after the onset of the Northeast monsoon, there are two weather systems brewing off the Indian Southwest coast and the Southeast coast. As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a well marked low pressure area near Lakshadweep area, off India's southwest coast, is likely to intensify into a depression over the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, a low pressure area is expected to form off the Indian southeast coast, and intensify into a depression over the next 48hours. In meteorology, a low-pressure area is one where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas. It is associated with cloud formation, increased, humidity and rainfall. It causes moderate rain, cloudy skies. A depression is an intense low-pressure area that brins moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds. Owing to these weather systems, wind speeds of upto 55kmph are forecast along the Southeast coast and the Southwest coast until 24th October, Friday. Fishermen have been advised to not venture out along the Kerala-Karnataka coast, the Lakshadweep region, Tamil Nadu Coast, Palk Straits, among others. Through this week, there is a rainfall warning for over a dozen districts across Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and adjoining districts. The forecast suggests that there could be very heavy rain (12-20cms in 24 hours) or heavy rain (7-11cms) in multiple districts across Tamil Nadu. The ongoing Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.

The ongoing Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;

Weather systems brewing off India's southwest and southeast coast

The prototype of India's crewed submersible Samudrayaan is expected to undertake a 500-meter dive trial in mid-2026, said Dr. Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). A part of India's multi-institutional Deep Ocean Mission, Samudrayaan is the project that aims to develop a crewed submersible that can undertake oceanic exploration at depths of 6,000meters.&nbsp;&nbsp;Efforts towards Samudrayaan have been underway since the year 2021. Samudrayaan&nbsp;is India's ambitious deep-sea exploration mission, that will place the country in an elite list of about six nations that have operated manned, deep-sea probes for exploration, studies and research. Earlier this year, harbour trials of the Samudrayaan prototype were conducted at a private shipyard near Chennai, said Dr. Balaji. He added that the tests were meant to test the functional performance, battery performance, buoyancy, and various others parameters of the capsule.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dr. Balaji was speaking at the Curtain Raiser event ahead of the Indian Government's Emerging Science and Technology Conclave (ESTIC) 2025. A flagship annual event, ESTIC fosters collaboration, bringing together ministries, innovators, and domain experts. This transformative platform will showcase cutting-edge research, deep-tech breakthroughs, and thought-provoking discussions with Nobel Laureates, global experts, policymakers, and emerging leaders.&nbsp;Helmed by India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology, this initiative has roped in partners such as IITs, ISRO among others to fulfill various aspects of the design, testing and development within the country, while some hardware would be procured from the International market. &nbsp;The primary goal of the&nbsp;Samudrayaan&nbsp;Mission is to develop Matsya-6000, a deep-sea exploration vehicle that will be propelled by battery power and can remain at a depth of 6km for a duration of four hours. It is meant to carry a three-member crew within a titanium sphere of 80millimeter thickness. The thick titanium hull of Matsya-6000 is meant to withstand a pressure of 600bar, at the depths of 6,000meters. The Mastya-6000 is meant to have an operational endurance of 12 hours and an emergency endurance of up to 96 hours.&nbsp;The Matsya-6000 vehicle is a platform to carry robotic arms, sensors and other equipment and conduct experiments that would further enable deep sea mineral exploration, improve understanding of mineral resources, investigation of tectonic activities and other deep-sea phenomena.&nbsp;&nbsp;With a coastline of 11,098 km and a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning over 2.4million square kms, there is immense potential for India to explore and tap these unexplored resources to add value to the economy, particularly through the development of the Blue economy.&nbsp;<h2>How India is working with France for Samudrayaan training</h2>In August this year, two Indian aquanauts successfully conducted deep ocean expeditions to depths of 4,025 meters and 5,002 meters in the Atlantic Ocean, aboard a French submersible. The Indian aquanauts - Raju Ramesh, Senior Scientist NIOT and Cdr. Jatinder Pal Singh (Retd)—undertook the dives and gathered valuable experience, made observations, which are crucial as part of the preparation for Samudrayaan.&nbsp;&nbsp;This expedition was conducted as a collaborative scientific activity with IFREMER, the French marine research institute, in deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean, onboard IFREMER’s submersible Nautile. This mission is seen as a precursor and a training dive, which can help India's indigenous effort.&nbsp;&nbsp;Working with the French, the Indian team gained hands-on experience in a range of critical operations. These included pre-dive preparation and piloting operations; habitability and buoyancy management along with descent and ascent procedures; intervention tasks using manipulators such as flag placement and sample collection; deployment and retrieval during four dives; trajectory tracking from the ship; managing on-board support systems; operating acoustic telephone communication protocols; as well as dive planning, maneuvering, and other essential operational procedures.

Crewed submersible Samudrayaan likely to undertake 500-meter dive in 2026

The prototype of India's crewed submersible Samudrayaan is expected to undertake a 500-meter dive trial in mid-2026, said Dr. Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). A part of India's multi-institutional Deep Ocean Mission, Samudrayaan is the project that aims to develop a crewed submersible that can undertake oceanic exploration at depths of 6,000meters. Efforts towards Samudrayaan have been underway since the year 2021. Samudrayaan is India's ambitious deep-sea exploration mission, that will place the country in an elite list of about six nations that have operated manned, deep-sea probes for exploration, studies and research. Earlier this year, harbour trials of the Samudrayaan prototype were conducted at a private shipyard near Chennai, said Dr. Balaji. He added that the tests were meant to test the functional performance, battery performance, buoyancy, and various others parameters of the capsule. Dr. Balaji was speaking at the Curtain Raiser event ahead of the Indian Government's Emerging Science and Technology Conclave (ESTIC) 2025. A flagship annual event, ESTIC fosters collaboration, bringing together ministries, innovators, and domain experts. This transformative platform will showcase cutting-edge research, deep-tech breakthroughs, and thought-provoking discussions with Nobel Laureates, global experts, policymakers, and emerging leaders. Helmed by India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology, this initiative has roped in partners such as IITs, ISRO among others to fulfill various aspects of the design, testing and development within the country, while some hardware would be procured from the International market. The primary goal of the Samudrayaan Mission is to develop Matsya-6000, a deep-sea exploration vehicle that will be propelled by battery power and can remain at a depth of 6km for a duration of four hours. It is meant to carry a three-member crew within a titanium sphere of 80millimeter thickness. The thick titanium hull of Matsya-6000 is meant to withstand a pressure of 600bar, at the depths of 6,000meters. The Mastya-6000 is meant to have an operational endurance of 12 hours and an emergency endurance of up to 96 hours. The Matsya-6000 vehicle is a platform to carry robotic arms, sensors and other equipment and conduct experiments that would further enable deep sea mineral exploration, improve understanding of mineral resources, investigation of tectonic activities and other deep-sea phenomena. With a coastline of 11,098 km and a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning over 2.4million square kms, there is immense potential for India to explore and tap these unexplored resources to add value to the economy, particularly through the development of the Blue economy. How India is working with France for Samudrayaan training In August this year, two Indian aquanauts successfully conducted deep ocean expeditions to depths of 4,025 meters and 5,002 meters in the Atlantic Ocean, aboard a French submersible. The Indian aquanauts - Raju Ramesh, Senior Scientist NIOT and Cdr. Jatinder Pal Singh (Retd)—undertook the dives and gathered valuable experience, made observations, which are crucial as part of the preparation for Samudrayaan. This expedition was conducted as a collaborative scientific activity with IFREMER, the French marine research institute, in deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean, onboard IFREMER’s submersible Nautile. This mission is seen as a precursor and a training dive, which can help India's indigenous effort. Working with the French, the Indian team gained hands-on experience in a range of critical operations. These included pre-dive preparation and piloting operations; habitability and buoyancy management along with descent and ascent procedures; intervention tasks using manipulators such as flag placement and sample collection; deployment and retrieval during four dives; trajectory tracking from the ship; managing on-board support systems; operating acoustic telephone communication protocols; as well as dive planning, maneuvering, and other essential operational procedures.

This transformative platform will showcase cutting-edge research, deep-tech breakthroughs, and thought-provoking discussions with Nobel Laureates, global experts, policymakers, and emerging leaders

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the conditions are favourable for the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the entire country by Thursday (October 16). Typically active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon which brings rains across parts of southern India is expected to set in around Thursday. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry.&nbsp;&nbsp;The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December. The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, there is an Upper Air Cyclonic Circulation over the Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining and Indian Equatorial Ocean up to 3.1 km above mean sea level. It is likely to move west-northwestwards towards Kanyakumari, the Indian mainland's southernmost tip. Under its influence, a Low Pressure Area is likely to form over Southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area off Kerala-south Karnataka coasts around 19th October. A low pressure area is associated with storm weather, rainfall, gusty winds.&nbsp;&nbsp;For the next four days, IMD has predicted heavy rains for several districts across Tamil Nadu. Owing to gusty winds during this period, fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing out along the southern Tamil Nadu coastal regions and the Kerala coastal regions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

India: Southwest monsoon withdrawal, Northeast monsoon onset likely this week

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the conditions are favourable for the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the entire country by Thursday (October 16). Typically active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon which brings rains across parts of southern India is expected to set in around Thursday. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry. The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December. The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs. Meanwhile, there is an Upper Air Cyclonic Circulation over the Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining and Indian Equatorial Ocean up to 3.1 km above mean sea level. It is likely to move west-northwestwards towards Kanyakumari, the Indian mainland's southernmost tip. Under its influence, a Low Pressure Area is likely to form over Southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area off Kerala-south Karnataka coasts around 19th October. A low pressure area is associated with storm weather, rainfall, gusty winds. For the next four days, IMD has predicted heavy rains for several districts across Tamil Nadu. Owing to gusty winds during this period, fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing out along the southern Tamil Nadu coastal regions and the Kerala coastal regions.

For the next four days, IMD has predicted heavy rains for several districts across Tamil Nadu. Owing to gusty winds during this period, fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing out along the southern Tamil Nadu coastal regions and Kerala coastal regions

American firm AST SpaceMobile has announced that its BlueBird 6 Internet-beaming satellite has completed its final assembly and testing, and is ready for flight. If all goes well, the firm is expected to load the satellite onto an Antonov cargo plane on October 12th and fly it to Chennai in Southern India, from where it would be trucked to the ISRO Spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 85kms north of Chennai. ISRO's largest rocket, the LVM3, is meant to carry the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit (about 550km above Earth). The 6,500kg satellite would be the heaviest satellite to be carried by an Indian rocket.Once the satellite reaches the Indian spaceport in mid-October, it would be safe to assume that the launch would be carried out in 30-45 days, which means the BlueBird 6 could take to the skies by December. In the intervening 30-45 days, the assembly activities of the rocket, the testing, and fuelling of the satellite, and other pre-launch preparations are carried out.Notably, ISRO is gearing up for the launch of the Indian communications satellite CMS-02 by the end of October. Like the BlueBird 6, CMS-02 would also fly on an LVM3 rocket. As it stands, the CMS-02 would be launched on a rocket designated as LVM-M5, and the BlueBird would fly on LVM3-M6. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ISRO would be executing two LVM3 launches in 3 months, something that has not been done before.As a launch services provider (rocket builder and operator), the Indian Space Agency launches foreign-origin satellites into space commercially. These commercial space missions (like a taxi ferrying a passenger) are handled by ISRO's commercial arm NSIL, which earns revenue for the Indian government.<h2>AST SpaceMobile and its internet-beaming satellites</h2>AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. As per reports, the firm presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2) satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said.The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. "BlueBird 7 is expected to ship to the Cape Canaveral launch site in October, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026," the firm announced. &nbsp;They expect to have 45–60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites (by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above Earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400 sq feet phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell.The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending their own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum.<h2>Repeated delays in BlueBird 6 launch</h2>As per the January 2025 announcement by the Indian government, the American satellite was to be launched by India's LVM3-M5 rocket in March 2025. In April, the Indian Government said that the BlueBird launch would take place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket in July 2025.In July 2025, following the successful launch of the Indo-US NISAR satellite, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan said that ISRO would be launching a CMS-02 satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This meant that the rocket originally allocated for BlueBird was being reallocated to a different satellite, known as CMS-02. The reasons for this reallocation were not revealed.In August, in the run-up to the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan shared an ISRO launch schedule which said that the BlueBird mission would be launched by the LVM3-M6 rocket between January and March 2026.Unconfirmed reports say that the US firm has been facing delays at its end, which has been delaying its planned Block-2 satellite launches from India and abroad.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 satellite, designed to beam internet directly to mobile phones, has completed assembly and testing and is set for transport to ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India by October 12.

American firm AST SpaceMobile has announced that its BlueBird 6 Internet-beaming satellite has completed its final assembly and testing, and is ready for flight. If all goes well, the firm is expected to load the satellite onto an Antonov cargo plane on October 12th and fly it to Chennai in Southern India, from where it would be trucked to the ISRO Spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 85kms north of Chennai. ISRO's largest rocket, the LVM3, is meant to carry the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit (about 550km above Earth). The 6,500kg satellite would be the heaviest satellite to be carried by an Indian rocket. Once the satellite reaches the Indian spaceport in mid-October, it would be safe to assume that the launch would be carried out in 30-45 days, which means the BlueBird 6 could take to the skies by December. In the intervening 30-45 days, the assembly activities of the rocket, the testing, and fuelling of the satellite, and other pre-launch preparations are carried out. Notably, ISRO is gearing up for the launch of the Indian communications satellite CMS-02 by the end of October. Like the BlueBird 6, CMS-02 would also fly on an LVM3 rocket. As it stands, the CMS-02 would be launched on a rocket designated as LVM-M5, and the BlueBird would fly on LVM3-M6. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ISRO would be executing two LVM3 launches in 3 months, something that has not been done before. As a launch services provider (rocket builder and operator), the Indian Space Agency launches foreign-origin satellites into space commercially. These commercial space missions (like a taxi ferrying a passenger) are handled by ISRO's commercial arm NSIL, which earns revenue for the Indian government. AST SpaceMobile and its internet-beaming satellites AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. As per reports, the firm presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2) satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said. The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. "BlueBird 7 is expected to ship to the Cape Canaveral launch site in October, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026," the firm announced. They expect to have 45–60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites (by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above Earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400 sq feet phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell. The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending their own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum. Repeated delays in BlueBird 6 launch As per the January 2025 announcement by the Indian government, the American satellite was to be launched by India's LVM3-M5 rocket in March 2025. In April, the Indian Government said that the BlueBird launch would take place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket in July 2025. In July 2025, following the successful launch of the Indo-US NISAR satellite, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan said that ISRO would be launching a CMS-02 satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This meant that the rocket originally allocated for BlueBird was being reallocated to a different satellite, known as CMS-02. The reasons for this reallocation were not revealed. In August, in the run-up to the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan shared an ISRO launch schedule which said that the BlueBird mission would be launched by the LVM3-M6 rocket between January and March 2026. Unconfirmed reports say that the US firm has been facing delays at its end, which has been delaying its planned Block-2 satellite launches from India and abroad.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 satellite, designed to beam internet directly to mobile phones, has completed assembly and testing and is set for transport to ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India by October 12.

US firm's BlueBird satellite to reach India in mid-Oct; Launch could take place by December

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