As the Israel-Palestine conflict rages, what is India's position? Historically, New Delhi has supported Palestine, but today it maintains an independent relationship with both sides. This stance reflects in India's statement. Palki Sharma tells you how.

Gravitas: Israel or Palestine: Who does India support?

As Israel gear up for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, WION correspondent Jodie Cohen takes you inside a bomb shelter in the country as we talk to citizens about the mood and situation these days in Israel.

Israel Ground Report: WION talks to citizen inside a bomb shelter

Pro-Palestinian groups took to streets across the globe, demanding an end to the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. In Jordan, protesters gathered outside the Israeli embassy and burned Israeli flags.

Pro-Palestinian protesters march in major cities as Israel attacks Gaza

Israel and Gaza are on the brink of war. 5 days of fighting, numerous airstrikes and 127 deaths later - Israel says it entered Gaza in an overnight operation. Netanyahu has vowed to continue the airstrikes. Palki Sharma asks- who is this conflict helping?

Gravitas: Israel vows to continue striking Hamas

Days of cross-border violence between Israel and Hamas show no signs of abating. Caught in the crossfire however are thousands of Palestinians. As air raids and bombing damage buildings and houses in Gaza, Palestinians escape their homes seeking refuge in schools.

Israel-Palestinian clashes: Thousands flee their homes in Gaza

The decades-old Israel-Palestine conflict has flared up yet again with two sides launching air attacks at each other. As hostilities enter the fifth day, with no sign of abating, the death toll is on a constant rise. The United Nations Relief and Works agency Director Matthias Schmale tells you more about ongoing tensions.

UNRWA Director Matthias Schmale speaks to WION amid Israel-Palestine aerial attacks

Balls of flames continue to rise high into the skies of Gaza. Both Hamas and Israel, seem dead set on a path of destruction. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay sat down with Paul Hirschson, the spokesperson of Israel's foreign ministry to understand the conflict better.

Israel's Foreign Ministry speaks to WION amid Gaza violence

What's it like to be in Israel right now? What's it like to witness the conflict first-hand? Wion's correspondent Jodie Cohen gets you a comprehensive ground report from Central Israel.

Gravitas: Life in Israel right now

WION's correspondent Jodie Cohen gets you a comprehensive ground report from Central Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

WION Ground Report: What is it like to be in Israel right now?

The ongoing clashes in Gaza have sent shock waves across the globe. Both Hamas and Israel, seem dead set on a path of destruction. What is unfolding in Gaza? How is the international community reacting? How is the clash epicentre, Al-Aqsa mosque celebrating Eid-Ul-Fitr? WION answers.

Israel-Palestine clashes: What is happening in Gaza?

Ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed 11 more Palestinians, taking the death toll to 83. Fatalities include 17 children and seven women, while a total of 487 people were injured to date. At least six Israelis and one Indian national have also been killed in the attacks.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict: Gaza death toll rises to 83, 7 Israelis killed in attacks

Israel and Gaza are on the brink of war. In the last 24 hours, over 1000 rockets were fired into Israel. Buildings have been torn down in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes. The conflict has claimed at least 50 people, including an Indian national. Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: Violence escalates between Israel, Gaza

Palestinians have pushed the idea of a third UN Security Council meeting in less than a week. The UNSC will hold a new meeting on the worsening hostilities between Israel and Palestinians on Friday.

UN Security Council to hold another meeting on Israel-Palestine conflict

Israel & Hamas continue to exchange rocket fire as civilians suffer. The question of who is right & who isn't has gone up the smoke. Palki Sharma tells you why.

Gravitas: Israel & Hamas exchange rocket fire

A 30-year-old Indian woman who was working as a caregiver has been killed in a Hamas rocket attack at Ashkelon in Israel. According to the family members Soumya Santhosh, the rocket fell on her residence while she was talking to her husband over a video call.

Israel: Indian woman killed in Hamas rocket attack

49 people have been killed in Gaza and 6 in Israel in the most intensive aerial exchanges for years. Israel carried out hundreds of air strikes in Gaza into the early hours of Wednesday, as the Islamist group and other Palestinian militants fired multiple rocket barrages at Tel Aviv and Beersheba.

Israel-Hamas violence escalates: 49 Palestinians, 6 Israelis killed

Amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Gaza, the Deputy Ambassador of Israel in India Rony Yedidia Clein said "we are not targeting residential homes, but terrorist infrastructure". She also added "we are not going to stop defending our citizens, we are acting against terrorist organisations—Hamas and Islamic Jihad—and we are neutralising terrorist infrastructures."

We are not targeting residential homes, but terrorist infrastructure says Rony Yedidia

The UN Security Council will hold another emergency meeting to discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and Gaza. The closed-door meeting has been requested by the Tunisia, Norway and China. The first held on Monday ended without a joint statement.

UNSC to hold meeting over Israel-Palestine conflict

Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians escalated as militant groups in Gaza fired rockets into Israel and it responded with strikes on the Palestinian coastal territory following a police raid on the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem that left hundreds injured.

Israel responds with airstrikes on Gaza after Hamas rocket attacks

A large segment of a Chinese rocket re-entered the Earth's atmosphere and disintegrated over the Indian Ocean on Sunday, the Chinese space agency said, following fevered speculation over where the 18-tonne object would come down.

Officials in Beijing had said there was little risk from the freefalling segment of the Long March-5B rocket, which had launched the first module of China's new space station into Earth orbit on April 29.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Chinese rocket to tumble back to Earth in uncontrolled re-entry">Chinese rocket to tumble back to Earth in uncontrolled re-entry</a>

"After monitoring and analysis, at 10:24 (0224 GMT) on May 9, 2021, the last-stage wreckage of the Long March 5B Yao-2 launch vehicle has reentered the atmosphere," the China Manned Space Engineering Office said in a statement, providing coordinates for a point in the Indian Ocean near the Maldives.

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UPDATE Our latest prediction for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LongMarch5B?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LongMarch5B</a> CZ-5B rocket body reentry is 🚀 09 MAY 2021 03:02 UTC ± 2 hours along the ground track shown here. 1/ <a href="https://t.co/JeIKVUd1fk">pic.twitter.com/JeIKVUd1fk</a>
— The Aerospace Corporation (@AerospaceCorp) <a href="https://twitter.com/AerospaceCorp/status/1391160460150382598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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It added that most of the segment disintegrated and was destroyed during re-entry.

Monitoring service Space-Track, which uses US military data, also confirmed the re-entry.&nbsp;"Everyone else following the #LongMarch5B re-entry can relax. The rocket is down," it tweeted.

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Everyone else following the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LongMarch5B?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LongMarch5B</a> re-entry can relax. The rocket is down. You can see all relevant information and updates here on Twitter/Facebook, so there is no need to keep visiting the space-track dot org website.
— Space-Track (@SpaceTrackOrg) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceTrackOrg/status/1391230551181316100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The segment's descent matched predictions by some experts that any debris would have splashed down into the ocean, given that 70 percent of the planet is covered by water.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="US tracking out-of-control wreckage of Chinese rocket falling back to Earth">US tracking out-of-control wreckage of Chinese rocket falling back to Earth</a>

But the uncontrolled re-entry of such a large object had sparked concerns about possible damage and casualties, despite there being a low statistical chance.

American and European space authorities were among those tracking its orbits and trying to determine when and where it may come down.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had said the US military had no plans to shoot it down, but suggested that China had been negligent in letting it fall out of orbit.

Last year, debris from another Long March rocket fell on villages in the Ivory Coast, causing structural damage but no injuries or deaths.

"An ocean reentry was always statistically the most likely," Harvard-based astronomer Jonathan McDowell tweeted.

"It appears China won its gamble (unless we get news of debris in the Maldives). But it was still reckless."

McDowell had said earlier that China should redesign the Long March-5B to avoid such scenarios.

A large segment of a Chinese rocket re-entered the Earth's atmosphere and disintegrated over the Indian Ocean on Sunday, the Chinese space agency said, following fevered speculation over where the 18-tonne object would come down.

A large segment of a Chinese rocket re-entered the Earth's atmosphere and disintegrated over the Indian Ocean on Sunday, the Chinese space agency said, following fevered speculation over where the 18-tonne object would come down. Officials in Beijing had said there was little risk from the freefalling segment of the Long March-5B rocket, which had launched the first module of China's new space station into Earth orbit on April 29. Also read | Chinese rocket to tumble back to Earth in uncontrolled re-entry "After monitoring and analysis, at 10:24 (0224 GMT) on May 9, 2021, the last-stage wreckage of the Long March 5B Yao-2 launch vehicle has reentered the atmosphere," the China Manned Space Engineering Office said in a statement, providing coordinates for a point in the Indian Ocean near the Maldives. UPDATE Our latest prediction for #LongMarch5B CZ-5B rocket body reentry is 🚀 09 MAY 2021 03:02 UTC ± 2 hours along the ground track shown here. 1/ pic.twitter.com/JeIKVUd1fk — The Aerospace Corporation (@AerospaceCorp) May 8, 2021 × It added that most of the segment disintegrated and was destroyed during re-entry. Monitoring service Space-Track, which uses US military data, also confirmed the re-entry. "Everyone else following the #LongMarch5B re-entry can relax. The rocket is down," it tweeted. Everyone else following the #LongMarch5B re-entry can relax. The rocket is down. You can see all relevant information and updates here on Twitter/Facebook, so there is no need to keep visiting the space-track dot org website. — Space-Track (@SpaceTrackOrg) May 9, 2021 × The segment's descent matched predictions by some experts that any debris would have splashed down into the ocean, given that 70 percent of the planet is covered by water. Also read | US tracking out-of-control wreckage of Chinese rocket falling back to Earth But the uncontrolled re-entry of such a large object had sparked concerns about possible damage and casualties, despite there being a low statistical chance. American and European space authorities were among those tracking its orbits and trying to determine when and where it may come down. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had said the US military had no plans to shoot it down, but suggested that China had been negligent in letting it fall out of orbit. Last year, debris from another Long March rocket fell on villages in the Ivory Coast, causing structural damage but no injuries or deaths. "An ocean reentry was always statistically the most likely," Harvard-based astronomer Jonathan McDowell tweeted. "It appears China won its gamble (unless we get news of debris in the Maldives). But it was still reckless." McDowell had said earlier that China should redesign the Long March-5B to avoid such scenarios.

Chinese rocket segment disintegrates over Indian Ocean

A large segment of a&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;rocket&nbsp;is expected to make an&nbsp;uncontrolled&nbsp;re-entry&nbsp;into the&nbsp;Earth's atmosphere on the weekend, but Beijing has downplayed fears and said there is a very low risk of any damage.

A Long March-5B&nbsp;rocket&nbsp;launched the first module of China's new space station into Eart orbit on April 29. Its 18-tonne main segment is now in freefall and experts have said it is difficult to say precisely where and when it will re-enter the atmosphere.

Re-entry&nbsp;is expected to be around 2300 GMT on Saturday, according to the Pentagon, with a window of plus or minus nine hours either side.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="China says 'extremely low' risk of damage from rocket debris">China says 'extremely low' risk of damage from rocket debris</a>

Chinese&nbsp;authorities have said most of the&nbsp;rocket&nbsp;components would likely be destroyed on&nbsp;re-entry.

"The probability of causing harm... on the ground is extremely low,"&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters on Friday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-closely-tracking-uncontrolled-chinese-rocket-re-entering-atmosphere-pentagon-383094">US closely tracking uncontrolled Chinese rocket re-entering atmosphere: Pentagon</a>

Although there has been fevered speculation over exactly where the&nbsp;rocket&nbsp;-- or parts of it -- will land, there is a good chance any debris that does not burn up will just splash down into the ocean on a planet made up of 70 percent water.

"We're hopeful that it will land in a place where it won't harm anyone," said Pentagon spokesman Mike Howard.

Howard said the United States was tracking the&nbsp;rocket&nbsp;segment but "its exact entry point into the&nbsp;Earth's atmosphere cannot be pinpointed until within hours of its&nbsp;re-entry".

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier said that the US military had no plans to shoot it down, and suggested that China had been negligent in letting it fall out of orbit.

"Given the size of the object, there will necessarily be big pieces left over," said Florent Delefie, an astronomer at the Paris-PSL Observatory.

"The chances of debris landing on an inhabited zone are tiny, probably one in a million."

In 2020, debris from another Long March&nbsp;rocket&nbsp;fell on villages in the Ivory Coast, causing structural damage but no injuries or deaths.

A large segment of a Chinese rocket is expected to make an uncontrolled re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere on the weekend, but Beijing has downplayed fears and said there is a very low risk of any damage.

A large segment of a Chinese rocket is expected to make an uncontrolled re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere on the weekend, but Beijing has downplayed fears and said there is a very low risk of any damage. A Long March-5B rocket launched the first module of China's new space station into Eart orbit on April 29. Its 18-tonne main segment is now in freefall and experts have said it is difficult to say precisely where and when it will re-enter the atmosphere. Re-entry is expected to be around 2300 GMT on Saturday, according to the Pentagon, with a window of plus or minus nine hours either side. Also read | China says 'extremely low' risk of damage from rocket debris Chinese authorities have said most of the rocket components would likely be destroyed on re-entry. "The probability of causing harm... on the ground is extremely low," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters on Friday. Also read | US closely tracking uncontrolled Chinese rocket re-entering atmosphere: Pentagon Although there has been fevered speculation over exactly where the rocket -- or parts of it -- will land, there is a good chance any debris that does not burn up will just splash down into the ocean on a planet made up of 70 percent water. "We're hopeful that it will land in a place where it won't harm anyone," said Pentagon spokesman Mike Howard. Howard said the United States was tracking the rocket segment but "its exact entry point into the Earth's atmosphere cannot be pinpointed until within hours of its re-entry". Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier said that the US military had no plans to shoot it down, and suggested that China had been negligent in letting it fall out of orbit. "Given the size of the object, there will necessarily be big pieces left over," said Florent Delefie, an astronomer at the Paris-PSL Observatory. "The chances of debris landing on an inhabited zone are tiny, probably one in a million." In 2020, debris from another Long March rocket fell on villages in the Ivory Coast, causing structural damage but no injuries or deaths.

Chinese rocket to tumble back to Earth in uncontrolled re-entry

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has short-listed 20 space-based experiment proposals, including from France, for its proposed Venus orbiter mission 'Shukrayaan' to study the planet for more than four years.

These include "collaborative contributions" from Russia, France, Sweden and Germany, sources in the Bengaluru- headquartered space agency said.

ISRO was earlier eyeing June 2023 for the country's first mission to Venus.

"But we are currently reviewing this mission timeline due to delays arising from the pandemic situation", an ISRO official said.

"Future launch opportunity is either in 2024 or 2026".

It was noted that the optimal launch window (when Venus is closest to the Earth) comes about every 19 months.

Of the Indian and international payload proposals it received in response to an announcement of opportunity for novel space-based experiments to study Venus, ISRO has shortlisted 20.

"These 20 payload (scientific instruments) proposals, including collaborative contributions from Russia, France, Sweden and Germany, are currently under review", the ISRO official said.

The one already selected, according to French space agency CNES, is France's VIRAL instrument (Venus Infrared Atmospheric Gas Linker) co-developed with the Russian space agency Roscosmos, and the LATMOS atmospheres, environments and space observations laboratory attached to the French national scientific research centre CNRS.

"Swedish Institute of Space Physics is engaged with India's mission to Venus", sources said.

According to ISRO, scientific objectives of ISRO's Venus mission are an investigation of the surface processes and shallow subsurface stratigraphy; and solar wind interaction with Venusian Ionosphere, and studying the structure, composition and dynamics of the atmosphere.

Venus is often described as the "twin sister" of the Earth because of the similarities in size, mass, density, bulk composition and gravity.

It is believed that both planets share a common origin, forming at the same time out of a condensing nebulosity around 4.5 billion years ago, ISRO had noted in its announcement of opportunity.

Venus is around 30 per cent closer to the Sun as compared to Earth resulting in much higher solar flux.

Exploration of Venus began in the early 1960s.

Venus has been explored by flyby, orbiter, a few lander missions and atmospheric probes.

"In spite of great progress made in exploring Venus, there still exist gaps in our basic understanding about surface/sub-surface features and processes, super-rotation of the Venusian atmosphere and its evolution and interaction with solar radiation/solar wind", ISRO had said.

The payload capability of the proposed 2500-kg satellite, planned to be launched onboard GSLV Mk II rocket, is likely to be 175 kg with 500W of power.

The proposed orbit is expected to be around 500 x 60,000 km around Venus.

This orbit is likely to be reduced gradually, over several months to a lower apoapsis (farthest point).

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has short-listed 20 space-based experiment proposals, including from France, for its proposed Venus orbiter mission 'Shukrayaan' to study the planet for more than four years.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has short-listed 20 space-based experiment proposals, including from France, for its proposed Venus orbiter mission 'Shukrayaan' to study the planet for more than four years. These include "collaborative contributions" from Russia, France, Sweden and Germany, sources in the Bengaluru- headquartered space agency said. ISRO was earlier eyeing June 2023 for the country's first mission to Venus. "But we are currently reviewing this mission timeline due to delays arising from the pandemic situation", an ISRO official said. "Future launch opportunity is either in 2024 or 2026". It was noted that the optimal launch window (when Venus is closest to the Earth) comes about every 19 months. Of the Indian and international payload proposals it received in response to an announcement of opportunity for novel space-based experiments to study Venus, ISRO has shortlisted 20. "These 20 payload (scientific instruments) proposals, including collaborative contributions from Russia, France, Sweden and Germany, are currently under review", the ISRO official said. The one already selected, according to French space agency CNES, is France's VIRAL instrument (Venus Infrared Atmospheric Gas Linker) co-developed with the Russian space agency Roscosmos, and the LATMOS atmospheres, environments and space observations laboratory attached to the French national scientific research centre CNRS. "Swedish Institute of Space Physics is engaged with India's mission to Venus", sources said. According to ISRO, scientific objectives of ISRO's Venus mission are an investigation of the surface processes and shallow subsurface stratigraphy; and solar wind interaction with Venusian Ionosphere, and studying the structure, composition and dynamics of the atmosphere. Venus is often described as the "twin sister" of the Earth because of the similarities in size, mass, density, bulk composition and gravity. It is believed that both planets share a common origin, forming at the same time out of a condensing nebulosity around 4.5 billion years ago, ISRO had noted in its announcement of opportunity. Venus is around 30 per cent closer to the Sun as compared to Earth resulting in much higher solar flux. Exploration of Venus began in the early 1960s. Venus has been explored by flyby, orbiter, a few lander missions and atmospheric probes. "In spite of great progress made in exploring Venus, there still exist gaps in our basic understanding about surface/sub-surface features and processes, super-rotation of the Venusian atmosphere and its evolution and interaction with solar radiation/solar wind", ISRO had said. The payload capability of the proposed 2500-kg satellite, planned to be launched onboard GSLV Mk II rocket, is likely to be 175 kg with 500W of power. The proposed orbit is expected to be around 500 x 60,000 km around Venus. This orbit is likely to be reduced gradually, over several months to a lower apoapsis (farthest point).

India's proposed Venus mission attracts international payload proposals

A European space rocket failed minutes after taking off with the loss of both satellites it was carrying. The launch's failure is the second in as many years.

The Vega light launcher, which would have placed Spain's first satellite into orbit, malfunctioned roughly eight minutes after launching from a space centre in Kourou, French Guiana.

Having taken off at around 11 pm local time (0200 GMT) Monday, the launcher slowed before it encountered an unidentified "anomaly," said Arianespace, the company overseeing the launch.

"The mission is lost," CEO Stephane Israel said in a livestream to track the rocket.

Vega was supposed to place two satellites -- both of which were lost during the mission -- around 700 kilometres (435 miles) from Earth.

The mission would have launched Spain's first Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency (ESA).

It would also have placed into orbit Taranis, a French satellite that would have observed extremely bright electrical phenomena in the planet's upper atmosphere.

 
&nbsp;

A European space rocket failed minutes after taking off with the loss of both satellites it was carrying. The launch's failure is the second in as many years. The Vega light launcher, which would have placed Spain's first satellite into orbit, malfunctioned roughly eight minutes after launching from a space centre in Kourou, French Guiana.

A European space rocket failed minutes after taking off with the loss of both satellites it was carrying. The launch's failure is the second in as many years. The Vega light launcher, which would have placed Spain's first satellite into orbit, malfunctioned roughly eight minutes after launching from a space centre in Kourou, French Guiana. Having taken off at around 11 pm local time (0200 GMT) Monday, the launcher slowed before it encountered an unidentified "anomaly," said Arianespace, the company overseeing the launch. "The mission is lost," CEO Stephane Israel said in a livestream to track the rocket. Vega was supposed to place two satellites -- both of which were lost during the mission -- around 700 kilometres (435 miles) from Earth. The mission would have launched Spain's first Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency (ESA). It would also have placed into orbit Taranis, a French satellite that would have observed extremely bright electrical phenomena in the planet's upper atmosphere.

European space rocket launch fails minutes after take-off

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today test-fired an extended range version of indigenously-developed Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system.

Six rockets were launched in quick succession and the test met complete mission objectives, defence sources said.

The test flight was carried out from Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.

The DRDO said that this new rocket system has a longer range with reduced length compared to the earlier variant (Mk-1), which will now be phased out. The design and development have been carried out by Pune-based laboratories of DRDO, Armament Research &amp; Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).

The enhanced range version of the weapon can destroy targets at a distance beyond 45 km.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today test-fired an extended range version of indigenously-developed Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today test-fired an extended range version of indigenously-developed Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system. Six rockets were launched in quick succession and the test met complete mission objectives, defence sources said. The test flight was carried out from Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The DRDO said that this new rocket system has a longer range with reduced length compared to the earlier variant (Mk-1), which will now be phased out. The design and development have been carried out by Pune-based laboratories of DRDO, Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL). The enhanced range version of the weapon can destroy targets at a distance beyond 45 km. (With inputs from agencies)

India successfully test-fires enhanced version of Pinaka Rocket System in Odisha

American company Rocket Lab's commercial rocket that was carrying four satellites and took off from New Zealand launch pad has been "lost". The founder and chief executive of the company, Peter Beck took to Twitter to confirm the news.

American company Rocket Lab's commercial rocket that was carrying four satellites and took off from New Zealand launch pad has been "lost". The founder and chief executive of the company, Peter Beck took to Twitter to confirm the news. "We lost the flight late into the mission," he tweeted. "I am incredibly sorry that we failed to deliver our customers' satellites today. Rest assured we will find the issue, correct it and be back on the pad soon." A brief statement about today's mission from our founder and CEO, Peter Beck. pic.twitter.com/QUShtzp7J0 — Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) July 5, 2020 × Despite locating its headquarters in New Zealand, Rocket Lab lists itself as an American company and specialises in delivering small satellites to Earth's lower orbit. Its backers include US companies Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Lockheed Martin, Promus Ventures and Data Collective. According to a statement by the Rocket Lab's website, the rocket faced an 'anomaly' four minutes into the flight and was working with the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States to identify the cause. The rocket was carrying satellites for companies Spaceflight, Canon Electronics, Planet and In-Space Missions, Beck said. "Today's anomaly is a reminder that space launch can be unforgiving, but we will identify the issue, rectify it, and be safely back on the pad as soon as possible." (Inputs from AFP)

Rocket carrying four satellites 'lost' after being launched from New Zealand

Virgin Orbit, Richard Branson's privately-funded air-launched rocket has failed to reach space on Monday after being released from company's specially modified 747 airplanes over the Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-and-spacex-brace-themselves-for-a-historic-launch-301086" hreflang="en">NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch!</a>

The rocket was designed to place small satellites into orbit but Virgin Orbit's two-stage LauncherOne was struck by an “anomaly” just after ignition of its kerosene-fed first stage engine.&nbsp;

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Cosmic Girl has released LauncherOne!
— Virgin Orbit (@Virgin_Orbit) <a href="https://twitter.com/Virgin_Orbit/status/1265007430267629568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"LauncherOne maintained stability after release, and we ignited our first stage engine, NewtonThree," Virgin Orbit said. "An anomaly then occurred early in first stage flight. We’ll learn more as our engineers analyze the mountain of data we collected today."

Boeing 747 called the "Cosmic Girl" carried the rocket and took off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California.&nbsp;

The "Cosmic Girl" had two people in the flight crew and two launch engineers on-board during the mission. After its failure, the company said the aircraft and its four-person crew were safe.&nbsp;

Monday's test flight was the first try for the company’s LauncherOne rocket to reach Earth orbit. Will Pomerantz, the vice president of Virgin Orbits said: "History is not terribly kind to maiden flights. Taking my best faith estimate, it’s about half of the maiden (rocket) flights fail. So that’s sort of the historical odds we’re against."

According to the imagery from National Weather Service radar in Los Angeles. the debris cloud near the drop zone of LauncherOne.&nbsp;

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Seems the Los Angeles NEXRAD picked up what appears to be the breakup of <a href="https://twitter.com/Virgin_Orbit?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Virgin_Orbit</a>'s rocket shortly after release. (H/T <a href="https://twitter.com/wxmeddler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wxmeddler</a>) <a href="https://t.co/bvjYPNaJZQ">pic.twitter.com/bvjYPNaJZQ</a>
— Steve Paluch (@BrewCityChaser) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrewCityChaser/status/1265027257799770114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Virgin Orbit said that the rocket has &nbsp;"accomplished" all pre-flight milestones according to plan. They said: “As we said before the flight, our goals today were to work through the process of conducting a launch, learn as much as we could, and achieve ignition,” Virgin Orbit said. “We hoped we could have done more, but we accomplished those key objectives today.”

Before the test flight Virgin Orbit's CEO and president, Dan Hart said: “You’d have to get into the technical discussion of what did we prove? What data did we get, and what data did we not get? And how could we augment it, if we needed to, with ground testing?”&nbsp;

“This is a test flight, so the purpose of this flight is to incrementally test the rocket and the airplane and the system as we pass through the operations,” Hart said Saturday. “So we’ll be getting data on our (propellant) load sequence, our captive carry flight out, and the full flight of the rocket after it drops through first stage flight, separation, second stage flight, and so forth.

“And we have telemetry stations around the world to capture the data as it comes down,” Hart said. “The data … is the product of that flight, and every increment that we learn, from the moment, that we start fueling the rocket, to flying it out, to lighting the engines, and observing the response of the system … is a huge step in the maturation of a system.”

SpaceX’s founder and CEO, Elon Musk tweeted after Virgin Orbit's Monday launch and shared his experience on Falcon 1.&nbsp;

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We've confirmed a clean release from the aircraft. However, the mission terminated shortly into the flight. Cosmic Girl and our flight crew are safe and returning to base.
— Virgin Orbit (@Virgin_Orbit) <a href="https://twitter.com/Virgin_Orbit/status/1265008105714155520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Virgin Orbit, Richard Branson's privately-funded air-launched rocket has failed to reach space on Monday after being released from company's specially modified 747 airplanes over the Pacific Ocean.

Virgin Orbit, Richard Branson's privately-funded air-launched rocket has failed to reach space on Monday after being released from company's specially modified 747 airplanes over the Pacific Ocean. Also read: NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch! The rocket was designed to place small satellites into orbit but Virgin Orbit's two-stage LauncherOne was struck by an “anomaly” just after ignition of its kerosene-fed first stage engine. Cosmic Girl has released LauncherOne! — Virgin Orbit (@Virgin_Orbit) May 25, 2020 × "LauncherOne maintained stability after release, and we ignited our first stage engine, NewtonThree," Virgin Orbit said. "An anomaly then occurred early in first stage flight. We’ll learn more as our engineers analyze the mountain of data we collected today." Boeing 747 called the "Cosmic Girl" carried the rocket and took off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The "Cosmic Girl" had two people in the flight crew and two launch engineers on-board during the mission. After its failure, the company said the aircraft and its four-person crew were safe. Monday's test flight was the first try for the company’s LauncherOne rocket to reach Earth orbit. Will Pomerantz, the vice president of Virgin Orbits said: "History is not terribly kind to maiden flights. Taking my best faith estimate, it’s about half of the maiden (rocket) flights fail. So that’s sort of the historical odds we’re against." According to the imagery from National Weather Service radar in Los Angeles. the debris cloud near the drop zone of LauncherOne. Seems the Los Angeles NEXRAD picked up what appears to be the breakup of @Virgin_Orbit's rocket shortly after release. (H/T @wxmeddler) pic.twitter.com/bvjYPNaJZQ — Steve Paluch (@BrewCityChaser) May 25, 2020 × Virgin Orbit said that the rocket has "accomplished" all pre-flight milestones according to plan. They said: “As we said before the flight, our goals today were to work through the process of conducting a launch, learn as much as we could, and achieve ignition,” Virgin Orbit said. “We hoped we could have done more, but we accomplished those key objectives today.” Before the test flight Virgin Orbit's CEO and president, Dan Hart said: “You’d have to get into the technical discussion of what did we prove? What data did we get, and what data did we not get? And how could we augment it, if we needed to, with ground testing?” “This is a test flight, so the purpose of this flight is to incrementally test the rocket and the airplane and the system as we pass through the operations,” Hart said Saturday. “So we’ll be getting data on our (propellant) load sequence, our captive carry flight out, and the full flight of the rocket after it drops through first stage flight, separation, second stage flight, and so forth. “And we have telemetry stations around the world to capture the data as it comes down,” Hart said. “The data … is the product of that flight, and every increment that we learn, from the moment, that we start fueling the rocket, to flying it out, to lighting the engines, and observing the response of the system … is a huge step in the maturation of a system.” SpaceX’s founder and CEO, Elon Musk tweeted after Virgin Orbit's Monday launch and shared his experience on Falcon 1. We've confirmed a clean release from the aircraft. However, the mission terminated shortly into the flight. Cosmic Girl and our flight crew are safe and returning to base. — Virgin Orbit (@Virgin_Orbit) May 25, 2020 ×

Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne fails to accomplish goal on first test

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/musk-to-testify-in-own-defense-in-defamation-trial-his-lawyer-says-264544">Elon Musk's</a> SpaceX<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-launches-first-batch-of-2020-starlink-satellites-272730"> </a>will try again on Sunday to destroy one of its own rockets in a test of a crucial emergency abort system, a day after bad weather forced the company to delay its final milestone test before flying NASA astronauts from U.S. soil.

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Latest weather data suggests sustained winds and rough seas in the recovery area during the top of tomorrow’s four-hour launch escape test window; now targeting toward the end of the window. Will continue to monitor weather and update the T-0 accordingly in the morning
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1218326923316617216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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If the test goes ahead, SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, an acorn-shaped pod that can seat seven astronauts, will fire thrusters to detach itself from a Falcon 9 rocket less than two minutes after liftoff, simulating an emergency abort scenario to prove it can return astronauts to safety.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-to-destroy-rocket-in-mock-failure-before-manned-missions-with-nasa-275010">SpaceX to destroy rocket in 'mock-failure' before manned missions with NASA</a>

<img alt="SpaceX Rocket" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="036c0d6c-a1eb-4986-8682-5eb82c47b891" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_18.jpg" /> 
[ SpaceX Rocket (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

The test is crucial to qualify the capsule to fly humans to the International Space Station, a feat the National Aeronautics and Space Administration expects to come as soon as mid-2020. It follows years of development and delays as the United States has sought to revive its human spaceflight program through private partnerships.

NASA awarded $4.2 billion to Boeing and $2.5 billion to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-launches-first-batch-of-2020-starlink-satellites-272730">SpaceX</a> in 2014 to develop separate capsule systems capable of ferrying astronauts to the space station from U.S. soil for the first time since NASA's space shuttle program ended in 2011. The space agency has since relied on Russian spacecraft for rides to the space station.

During the test the Falcon 9 rocket's boosters will shut down roughly 12 miles (19 km) above the ocean, a mock failure that will trigger Crew Dragon's so-called SuperDraco thrusters to jet itself away at supersonic speeds of up to 1,500 miles per hour (2,400 kph).

The capsule will deploy three parachutes to slow its descent to the water, and will carry aboard two human-shaped test dummies fitted with motion sensors to collect data on the immense g-force — the effect of acceleration on the body — astronauts would be subjected to during abort.

The test was originally scheduled for mid-2019 but was delayed after a Crew Dragon capsule exploded in April on a test stand just before firing its launch abort thrusters, triggering a lengthy investigation.

SpaceX-led investigators in July zeroed in on a previously unknown explosive reaction between a titanium valve and a propellant used to ignite the thrusters. A SpaceX official said the company completed the investigation within the last week.

&nbsp;

Elon Musk's SpaceX will try again on Sunday to destroy one of its own rockets in a test of a crucial emergency abort system, a day after bad weather forced the company to delay its final milestone test before flying NASA astronauts from U.

Elon Musk's SpaceX will try again on Sunday to destroy one of its own rockets in a test of a crucial emergency abort system, a day after bad weather forced the company to delay its final milestone test before flying NASA astronauts from U.S. soil. Latest weather data suggests sustained winds and rough seas in the recovery area during the top of tomorrow’s four-hour launch escape test window; now targeting toward the end of the window. Will continue to monitor weather and update the T-0 accordingly in the morning — SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 18, 2020 × If the test goes ahead, SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, an acorn-shaped pod that can seat seven astronauts, will fire thrusters to detach itself from a Falcon 9 rocket less than two minutes after liftoff, simulating an emergency abort scenario to prove it can return astronauts to safety. Also Read: SpaceX to destroy rocket in 'mock-failure' before manned missions with NASA [ SpaceX Rocket (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The test is crucial to qualify the capsule to fly humans to the International Space Station, a feat the National Aeronautics and Space Administration expects to come as soon as mid-2020. It follows years of development and delays as the United States has sought to revive its human spaceflight program through private partnerships. NASA awarded $4.2 billion to Boeing and $2.5 billion to SpaceX in 2014 to develop separate capsule systems capable of ferrying astronauts to the space station from U.S. soil for the first time since NASA's space shuttle program ended in 2011. The space agency has since relied on Russian spacecraft for rides to the space station. During the test the Falcon 9 rocket's boosters will shut down roughly 12 miles (19 km) above the ocean, a mock failure that will trigger Crew Dragon's so-called SuperDraco thrusters to jet itself away at supersonic speeds of up to 1,500 miles per hour (2,400 kph). The capsule will deploy three parachutes to slow its descent to the water, and will carry aboard two human-shaped test dummies fitted with motion sensors to collect data on the immense g-force — the effect of acceleration on the body — astronauts would be subjected to during abort. The test was originally scheduled for mid-2019 but was delayed after a Crew Dragon capsule exploded in April on a test stand just before firing its launch abort thrusters, triggering a lengthy investigation. SpaceX-led investigators in July zeroed in on a previously unknown explosive reaction between a titanium valve and a propellant used to ignite the thrusters. A SpaceX official said the company completed the investigation within the last week.

SpaceX to try rocket failure test again after bad weather delay

Elon Musk's SpaceX is set to destroy one of its own rockets today in a bid to test an emergency abort system on an unmanned capsule. This test will the company's last milestone before carrying NASA astronauts from US soil.&nbsp;

As Reuters reported, two minutes after the rocket takes off from a launchpad in Florida, the ''Crew Dragon'' capsule will eject itself from the rocket mid-air, which would replicate an emergency abort scenario. In essence, this is SpaceX's proof of their ability to return astronauts back to earth in case of emergencies.&nbsp;

"I will tell you tomorrow will be an exciting day," Kathy Lueders, NASA's commercial crew programme manager, said on Friday.

<h6><img alt="SpaceX" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0f81be7c-a692-485e-be3a-fdb45fc49084" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_13.jpg" /> 
Image:&nbsp;The SpaceX Crew Dragon sits atop a Falcon 9 booster rocket on Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center before a scheduled in-flight abort test at Cape Canaveral, Florida January 17, 2020 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

SpaceX has been trying to fly humans for a long time. If all goes well, they may be able to fly humans to the International Space Station soon. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this could happen as soon as mid-2020.&nbsp;

After human spaceflight programmes faced setbacks, the US decided to partner with private companies like SpaceX to accelerate the pace of development.&nbsp;

Following this, NASA awarded Boeing and SpaceX $4.2 billion and $2.5 billion in 2014 respectively. NASA expects them to make capsules capable of carrying humans. NASA's space shuttle programme ended in 2011, after which, if achieved, this will usher in the first take-off with humans since then. To access the space station, NASA now relies on Russia.

<img alt="sapce" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="85b84207-1dae-40f9-9ae8-b2086579b575" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_15.jpg" />

<h6>Image: The SpaceX Crew Dragon sits atop a Falcon 9 booster rocket on Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center before a scheduled in-flight abort test at Cape Canaveral, Florida January 17, 2020 | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

The ''mock failure'' will involve considerable steps: The Falcon 9 rocket's boosters will shut down roughly 19 km above the ocean. This will trigger Crew Dragon's so-called SuperDraco thrusters to jet itself away at supersonic speeds of up to 2,400 kph.

As it nears water, the capsule would deploy three parachutes for a slow descent. In fact, two human-shaped test dummies laden in motion censors will be on-board. The data will then be used to understand the impact of G-force imposed during the abortion of the mission.

The test was originally scheduled for mid-2019 but faced delays&nbsp;after one of the capsules exploded in April before launch. After this, an investigation was launched and the organisation found an explosive reaction between a titanium valve and the capsule's rocket fuel.

SpaceX's Crew Mission Management director Benji Reed had said, "At some point, we expect that the Falcon will start to break up."

"Our Falcon 9 recovery forces will be standing by ready to go and recover as much of the Falcon as we can as safely as possible," Reed said.&nbsp;

<h6><img alt="spacex" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9f6a919-00e2-457f-9827-52f0d8d6153a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%288%29_12.jpg" /> 
Image:&nbsp;Remote cameras line a field near Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center where the SpaceX Crew Dragon sits atop a Falcon 9 booster rocket the evening before a scheduled in-flight abort test at Cape Canaveral, Florida January 17, 2020 | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-launches-third-batch-of-mini-satellites-into-orbit-272623">SpaceX launches third batch of mini-satellites into orbit</a>

&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Elon Musk's SpaceX is set to destroy one of its own rockets today in a bid to test an emergency abort system on an unmanned capsule. This test will the company's last milestone before carrying NASA astronauts from US soil.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is set to destroy one of its own rockets today in a bid to test an emergency abort system on an unmanned capsule. This test will the company's last milestone before carrying NASA astronauts from US soil. As Reuters reported, two minutes after the rocket takes off from a launchpad in Florida, the ''Crew Dragon'' capsule will eject itself from the rocket mid-air, which would replicate an emergency abort scenario. In essence, this is SpaceX's proof of their ability to return astronauts back to earth in case of emergencies. "I will tell you tomorrow will be an exciting day," Kathy Lueders, NASA's commercial crew programme manager, said on Friday. Image: The SpaceX Crew Dragon sits atop a Falcon 9 booster rocket on Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center before a scheduled in-flight abort test at Cape Canaveral, Florida January 17, 2020 | AFP SpaceX has been trying to fly humans for a long time. If all goes well, they may be able to fly humans to the International Space Station soon. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this could happen as soon as mid-2020. After human spaceflight programmes faced setbacks, the US decided to partner with private companies like SpaceX to accelerate the pace of development. Following this, NASA awarded Boeing and SpaceX $4.2 billion and $2.5 billion in 2014 respectively. NASA expects them to make capsules capable of carrying humans. NASA's space shuttle programme ended in 2011, after which, if achieved, this will usher in the first take-off with humans since then. To access the space station, NASA now relies on Russia. Image: The SpaceX Crew Dragon sits atop a Falcon 9 booster rocket on Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center before a scheduled in-flight abort test at Cape Canaveral, Florida January 17, 2020 | Reuters The ''mock failure'' will involve considerable steps: The Falcon 9 rocket's boosters will shut down roughly 19 km above the ocean. This will trigger Crew Dragon's so-called SuperDraco thrusters to jet itself away at supersonic speeds of up to 2,400 kph. As it nears water, the capsule would deploy three parachutes for a slow descent. In fact, two human-shaped test dummies laden in motion censors will be on-board. The data will then be used to understand the impact of G-force imposed during the abortion of the mission. The test was originally scheduled for mid-2019 but faced delays after one of the capsules exploded in April before launch. After this, an investigation was launched and the organisation found an explosive reaction between a titanium valve and the capsule's rocket fuel. SpaceX's Crew Mission Management director Benji Reed had said, "At some point, we expect that the Falcon will start to break up." "Our Falcon 9 recovery forces will be standing by ready to go and recover as much of the Falcon as we can as safely as possible," Reed said. Image: Remote cameras line a field near Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center where the SpaceX Crew Dragon sits atop a Falcon 9 booster rocket the evening before a scheduled in-flight abort test at Cape Canaveral, Florida January 17, 2020 | Reuters Also read: SpaceX launches third batch of mini-satellites into orbit (With inputs from Reuters)

SpaceX to destroy rocket in 'mock-failure' before manned missions with NASA

ISRO’s most-reliable workhorse, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is gearing up to lift-off for its 50th time from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, with the launch scheduled for 3:25 pm on Wednesday. PSLV is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.

The rocket’s primary payload will be an Indian Radar imaging earth observation satellite (RISAT-2BR1) weighing about 628 kg, which will be placed into a 576 km orbit. ISRO states that the RISAT -2BR1 would be used for agriculture, forestry and disaster management.&nbsp;

As a part of a commercial agreement, ISRO will also be launching nine&nbsp;foreign satellites as co-passengers of the Indian satellite. The customer satellites include six&nbsp;American satellites, besides one each from Israel, Italy, and Japan.&nbsp;

Besides being the 50th launch of the PSLV, wednesday’s launch would mark several milestones for the ISRO - the second flight of PSLV in 'QL' configuration (with four&nbsp;strap-on motors). This will be the 75th&nbsp;launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 37th&nbsp;launch from the First Launchpad.

The PSLV is a four-stage rocket with the first stage and third stage using solid-propellant rocket motors, whereas the second a fourth stage use liquid-propellant rocket motors.

It is considered&nbsp;the most reliable launch vehicle of ISRO as it has flown 47 of its 49 missions successfully. The only failures of missions involving the PSLV rocket occurred in 1993 (first launch) and 2017 (41st launch). In its maiden mission, there was a software error in an on-board guidance and control processor, while the 2017 failure was caused as the heat shield (the bulbous top portion that holds the satellite) had failed to separate, thus preventing the satellite from being placed in orbit.

Ahead of the milestone launch, WION spoke to ISRO veterans to understand the arduous journey, the work culture that led to the success of the PSLV and how they feel ahead of the 50th Launch:&nbsp;

 
Padma Shri&nbsp;Dr&nbsp;A Sivathanu Pillai 
Core team member in SLV-3 and PSLV Configuration&nbsp;

<img alt="A Sivathanu Pillai | Image courtesy: Twitter user @orfonline" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c217b344-150b-4c47-baca-d76e83364e87" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pillaiiii_1.jpg" />

WION: Kindly tell us about what led to the planning and development of PSLV and the evolution it underwent.

Pillai: It was after the successful launch of SLV-3E2, India’s first experimental satellite launch vehicle in July 1980 that three groups were formed and PSLV was formed as one study group, with Dr Srinivasan as the head.&nbsp; When we had shared the configuration with Satish Dhawan, he was unhappy with it and wanted out to be more reliable. He had envisioned that the PSLV would become the workhorse rocket and later we could go for the GSLV with a cryogenic engine. Initially, the rocket was 400 ton and with big strap-on motors, but as he was apprehensive of strap-on, a new configuration was evolved without strap-ons and with increased reliability. Then we decided to use high-strength maraging steel that was available in the USA and Japan. We decided to develop the material and DRDO developed it and transferred the technology to Midhra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI) for production. This ensured that the weight of the rocket was reduced from 400 odd tons to 175 tons. It was in 1982 that the PLSV project was approved and its development began, our first flight in 1993 was not successful, but thereafter the PSLV started its successful run.&nbsp;

 
Padma Bhushan S&nbsp;Nambi Narayanan 
Project Director Second Stage of PSLV -Vikas Engine (later member associate project director of PSLV, GSLV)
<img alt="S Nambi Narayanan | Image courtesy: Twitter user @IndianExpress" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="801fdd47-2f5a-4e4f-833b-6a4d4eb768b1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Nambiiii.jpg" />
WION: How does it feel ahead of the 50th PSLV launch?&nbsp;

Narayanan: Actually I am very happy, it is much more than that, I feel really elated. The credit goes to the team of engineers who have worked day and night. But many members of our team are not with us anymore and it's sad that they are not here to see it.&nbsp;

WION: What’s the secret behind the PSLV and its above 95% success rate?&nbsp;

Narayanan: The PSLV rocket and its Vikas Engine have built-in reliability and that is one reason it has worked flawlessly. We jointly developed the liquid-engine Vikas with France (the French call it Viking -3), but we made a better system than they themselves made.&nbsp;

WION: You have constantly batted for a liquid-propellant engine over a solid-propellant engine during the PSLV development phase. Why?

Narayanan: A liquid engine can be stopped and restarted during tests and flights(ensuring better fuel efficiency), whereas a solid engine can’t be stopped after being ignited. Liquid propellant engines can be tweaked and upgraded for different uses. A liquid engine can control the flight of the rocket using gimbaling, whereas a solid engine requires external control systems which incur more cost and additional weight.&nbsp; There was always a competition between the teams working on solid and liquid propulsion. Solid took the lead as all our systems were using solid fuels, liquid systems never existed and many felt it was difficult or impossible.&nbsp; PSLV configurations were discussed without the liquid engine and it was meant to be all solid. However, with the solid engine the required payload couldn’t be achieved during the tests. Finally, the then director of VSSC Dr&nbsp;Brahm Prakash told Dr&nbsp;Satish Dhawan - “Satish this won’t work without liquid, we need a liquid system whether we like it or not”.

WION: While the French named their Engine Viking, what made us select ‘Vikas’?&nbsp;

Narayanan: Vikas means development in Sanskrit, but I had seen another adapted anagram in the name. For me, Vikas stood for Vikram A Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space Programme. He was my Guru and leader and we won’t have another leader like him. from the very first flight till date, it is the very same Vikas engine that powers the second stage of the PSLV.

 
Padma Vibhushan&nbsp;Dr&nbsp;G Madhavan Nair&nbsp; 
Project Director PSLV and Former Chairman, ISRO

<img alt="G Madhavan Nair | Image courtesy: Twitter user @NDTV" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="92f51c26-04f3-4ff7-8a00-34f9f414a1a2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Nairrrr_0.jpg" />

WION: How do you see the significance of PSLV in our Space programme?

Nair: PSLV is the workhorse launcher it has been performing consistently well, we are proud that we are having the 50th launch. PSLV has ushered the new era of large rocket systems in India. It is a result of a decade-long toil of over 3000 scientists and engineers who had worked in the mid-80s. International customers come to us for the low cost and high reliability of our vehicle (which is better than the global standard). Only the French Ariane Rocket is comparable with ours in terms of reliability. We are proud that India has got such a possession&nbsp;

WION: You were the Project Director of the PSLV during its maiden launch. Kindly share your memories

Nair: Dr Srinivsasn was the chief designer of this rocket, sadly he didn’t live to see the launch. He handed over the reins to me, I am proud that I could complete it and give it to the country. During our first launch in 1993, we had a snag and the mission failed, but we were successful within one year. We had the benefit of experience gained from other launch vehicles and our entire technology was homegrown without own Liquid Engine - Vikas. Even the more powerful launcher GSLV uses several modules that we developed at that time.&nbsp;

WION: Please Tell us about the organisational culture of ISRO and how various domain experts work together?&nbsp;

Nair: ISRO has tremendous strength in terms of multi-disciplinary teams working together and we maintain the culture established by our founder Vikram Sarabhai where freedom is granted and people are encouraged to come up with new ideas. Dr&nbsp;Abdul Kalam brought people together from various fields in science and technology and integrated the efforts. Most organizations don’t succeed as teams from different disciplines can’t work together.&nbsp;

 
Padma Shri Dr&nbsp;Mylswamy Annadurai 
Program Director Chandrayaan 1 and Mangalyaan
<img alt="Mylswamy Annaduarai | Image courtesy: Twitter user @ShahNawazKhanMM" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="12b9f5ed-1957-4ff9-9cb0-bdf83f732a36" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Annaduraiiii.jpg" />
WION: Kindly tell us about the PSLV’s versatility as a launcher&nbsp;

Annadurai: By definition, the PSLV is a polar satellite launch vehicle meant to launch into Low Earth Orbit(below 2000km), but due to the confidence in its configuration it has been configured to put heavier payloads into orbit. In Chandrayaan 1 we used the PSLV to carry the probe to Geosynchronous Transfer orbit (above 35000km). Likewise, for the Mars Orbiter Mission, we launched the probe into the Highly elliptical earth orbit. We use the PSLV in various configurations including the core-alone configuration and with either two, four or six strap-on boosters for heavier payloads. So depending on the payloads, we are able to customize the launcher. We have mastered the technology of launching multiple small satellites using the PSLV and hold the record for 104 satellites in a single launch. We can also launch different satellites into different orbits using a single rocket. Depending on the mission requirements engine re-starts can be done.&nbsp; PSLV is the one that gave us a face for commercial launches and by meeting the requirements completely it gives confidence to the customers. This makes it a unique launch vehicle when you compare in the world in this class (carrying payloads from 600kg-1.7 tons)

ISRO’s most-reliable workhorse, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is gearing up to lift-off for its 50th time from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, with the launch scheduled for 3:25 pm on Wednesday.

ISRO’s most-reliable workhorse, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is gearing up to lift-off for its 50th time from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, with the launch scheduled for 3:25 pm on Wednesday. PSLV is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. The rocket’s primary payload will be an Indian Radar imaging earth observation satellite (RISAT-2BR1) weighing about 628 kg, which will be placed into a 576 km orbit. ISRO states that the RISAT -2BR1 would be used for agriculture, forestry and disaster management. As a part of a commercial agreement, ISRO will also be launching nine foreign satellites as co-passengers of the Indian satellite. The customer satellites include six American satellites, besides one each from Israel, Italy, and Japan. Besides being the 50th launch of the PSLV, wednesday’s launch would mark several milestones for the ISRO - the second flight of PSLV in 'QL' configuration (with four strap-on motors). This will be the 75th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 37th launch from the First Launchpad. The PSLV is a four-stage rocket with the first stage and third stage using solid-propellant rocket motors, whereas the second a fourth stage use liquid-propellant rocket motors. It is considered the most reliable launch vehicle of ISRO as it has flown 47 of its 49 missions successfully. The only failures of missions involving the PSLV rocket occurred in 1993 (first launch) and 2017 (41st launch). In its maiden mission, there was a software error in an on-board guidance and control processor, while the 2017 failure was caused as the heat shield (the bulbous top portion that holds the satellite) had failed to separate, thus preventing the satellite from being placed in orbit. Ahead of the milestone launch, WION spoke to ISRO veterans to understand the arduous journey, the work culture that led to the success of the PSLV and how they feel ahead of the 50th Launch: Padma Shri Dr A Sivathanu Pillai Core team member in SLV-3 and PSLV Configuration WION: Kindly tell us about what led to the planning and development of PSLV and the evolution it underwent. Pillai: It was after the successful launch of SLV-3E2, India’s first experimental satellite launch vehicle in July 1980 that three groups were formed and PSLV was formed as one study group, with Dr Srinivasan as the head. When we had shared the configuration with Satish Dhawan, he was unhappy with it and wanted out to be more reliable. He had envisioned that the PSLV would become the workhorse rocket and later we could go for the GSLV with a cryogenic engine. Initially, the rocket was 400 ton and with big strap-on motors, but as he was apprehensive of strap-on, a new configuration was evolved without strap-ons and with increased reliability. Then we decided to use high-strength maraging steel that was available in the USA and Japan. We decided to develop the material and DRDO developed it and transferred the technology to Midhra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI) for production. This ensured that the weight of the rocket was reduced from 400 odd tons to 175 tons. It was in 1982 that the PLSV project was approved and its development began, our first flight in 1993 was not successful, but thereafter the PSLV started its successful run. Padma Bhushan S Nambi Narayanan Project Director Second Stage of PSLV -Vikas Engine (later member associate project director of PSLV, GSLV) WION: How does it feel ahead of the 50th PSLV launch? Narayanan: Actually I am very happy, it is much more than that, I feel really elated. The credit goes to the team of engineers who have worked day and night. But many members of our team are not with us anymore and it's sad that they are not here to see it. WION: What’s the secret behind the PSLV and its above 95% success rate? Narayanan: The PSLV rocket and its Vikas Engine have built-in reliability and that is one reason it has worked flawlessly. We jointly developed the liquid-engine Vikas with France (the French call it Viking -3), but we made a better system than they themselves made. WION: You have constantly batted for a liquid-propellant engine over a solid-propellant engine during the PSLV development phase. Why? Narayanan: A liquid engine can be stopped and restarted during tests and flights(ensuring better fuel efficiency), whereas a solid engine can’t be stopped after being ignited. Liquid propellant engines can be tweaked and upgraded for different uses. A liquid engine can control the flight of the rocket using gimbaling, whereas a solid engine requires external control systems which incur more cost and additional weight. There was always a competition between the teams working on solid and liquid propulsion. Solid took the lead as all our systems were using solid fuels, liquid systems never existed and many felt it was difficult or impossible. PSLV configurations were discussed without the liquid engine and it was meant to be all solid. However, with the solid engine the required payload couldn’t be achieved during the tests. Finally, the then director of VSSC Dr Brahm Prakash told Dr Satish Dhawan - “Satish this won’t work without liquid, we need a liquid system whether we like it or not”. WION: While the French named their Engine Viking, what made us select ‘Vikas’? Narayanan: Vikas means development in Sanskrit, but I had seen another adapted anagram in the name. For me, Vikas stood for Vikram A Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space Programme. He was my Guru and leader and we won’t have another leader like him. from the very first flight till date, it is the very same Vikas engine that powers the second stage of the PSLV. Padma Vibhushan Dr G Madhavan Nair Project Director PSLV and Former Chairman, ISRO WION: How do you see the significance of PSLV in our Space programme? Nair: PSLV is the workhorse launcher it has been performing consistently well, we are proud that we are having the 50th launch. PSLV has ushered the new era of large rocket systems in India. It is a result of a decade-long toil of over 3000 scientists and engineers who had worked in the mid-80s. International customers come to us for the low cost and high reliability of our vehicle (which is better than the global standard). Only the French Ariane Rocket is comparable with ours in terms of reliability. We are proud that India has got such a possession WION: You were the Project Director of the PSLV during its maiden launch. Kindly share your memories Nair: Dr Srinivsasn was the chief designer of this rocket, sadly he didn’t live to see the launch. He handed over the reins to me, I am proud that I could complete it and give it to the country. During our first launch in 1993, we had a snag and the mission failed, but we were successful within one year. We had the benefit of experience gained from other launch vehicles and our entire technology was homegrown without own Liquid Engine - Vikas. Even the more powerful launcher GSLV uses several modules that we developed at that time. WION: Please Tell us about the organisational culture of ISRO and how various domain experts work together? Nair: ISRO has tremendous strength in terms of multi-disciplinary teams working together and we maintain the culture established by our founder Vikram Sarabhai where freedom is granted and people are encouraged to come up with new ideas. Dr Abdul Kalam brought people together from various fields in science and technology and integrated the efforts. Most organizations don’t succeed as teams from different disciplines can’t work together. Padma Shri Dr Mylswamy Annadurai Program Director Chandrayaan 1 and Mangalyaan WION: Kindly tell us about the PSLV’s versatility as a launcher Annadurai: By definition, the PSLV is a polar satellite launch vehicle meant to launch into Low Earth Orbit(below 2000km), but due to the confidence in its configuration it has been configured to put heavier payloads into orbit. In Chandrayaan 1 we used the PSLV to carry the probe to Geosynchronous Transfer orbit (above 35000km). Likewise, for the Mars Orbiter Mission, we launched the probe into the Highly elliptical earth orbit. We use the PSLV in various configurations including the core-alone configuration and with either two, four or six strap-on boosters for heavier payloads. So depending on the payloads, we are able to customize the launcher. We have mastered the technology of launching multiple small satellites using the PSLV and hold the record for 104 satellites in a single launch. We can also launch different satellites into different orbits using a single rocket. Depending on the mission requirements engine re-starts can be done. PSLV is the one that gave us a face for commercial launches and by meeting the requirements completely it gives confidence to the customers. This makes it a unique launch vehicle when you compare in the world in this class (carrying payloads from 600kg-1.7 tons)

WION Special: ISRO veterans recall the workhorse rocket PSLV’s journey ahead of its 50th launch

Israel struck a series of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-rockets-israeli-airstrikes-jolt-tenuous-gaza-truce-262543">military targets in the Gaza Strip</a> overnight Wednesday in response to rockets fired from the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli army said.

"Fighter jets struck a number of Hamas terror targets in the southern Gaza Strip," an army statement said early Wednesday.

It said a weapons manufacturing site and underground infrastructure were among the sites targeted.

At least two Hamas sites were hit, in addition to one for allied group Islamic Jihad, a security source in Gaza said.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties.

Islamists Hamas control <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-carries-fresh-strikes-on-gaza-after-rocket-fire-army-262515">Gaza and Israel</a> holds the group responsible for any rockets launched from the strip, even if fired by smaller groups.

The strikes came in response to two rockets fired at Israel late Tuesday, one of which was intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system, the army said.

The rockets caused sirens to sound around the Israeli town of Sderot, close to the border with Gaza.

The latest incident comes after a brief flare-up between Israel and the Islamist-ruled territory ended two weeks ago.

On November 12, Israeli fire killed a top Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza, sparking immediate retaliatory rocket fire from the group.

The Israeli military said around 450 rockets were fired at its territory in that episode and air defences intercepted dozens of them.

After two days of clashes which killed 34 Palestinians and no Israelis, a ceasefire began on November 14.

Israel struck a series of military targets in the Gaza Strip overnight Wednesday in response to rockets fired from the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli army said.

Israel struck a series of military targets in the Gaza Strip overnight Wednesday in response to rockets fired from the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli army said. "Fighter jets struck a number of Hamas terror targets in the southern Gaza Strip," an army statement said early Wednesday. It said a weapons manufacturing site and underground infrastructure were among the sites targeted. At least two Hamas sites were hit, in addition to one for allied group Islamic Jihad, a security source in Gaza said. There were no immediate reports of any casualties. Islamists Hamas control Gaza and Israel holds the group responsible for any rockets launched from the strip, even if fired by smaller groups. The strikes came in response to two rockets fired at Israel late Tuesday, one of which was intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system, the army said. The rockets caused sirens to sound around the Israeli town of Sderot, close to the border with Gaza. The latest incident comes after a brief flare-up between Israel and the Islamist-ruled territory ended two weeks ago. On November 12, Israeli fire killed a top Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza, sparking immediate retaliatory rocket fire from the group. The Israeli military said around 450 rockets were fired at its territory in that episode and air defences intercepted dozens of them. After two days of clashes which killed 34 Palestinians and no Israelis, a ceasefire began on November 14.

Israel strikes military targets in overnight Gaza in response to rocket fire: Army

Rocket at Music Festival intercepted in Israel. Israel strikes Hamas after the incident

Rocket at Music Festival intercepted

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