Science Special

New Delhi, 23 July 2016

Youth Power Launches Satellite

PUNE COLLEGE DISCOVERS “SELF”

By Nikhil Gajendragadkar

Three cheers for the students of the College of Engineering, Pune (COEP) for achieving a rare feat by creating and sending a satellite to space. Coming on the heels of Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) PSLV rocket which carried 20 satellites in a single launch recently, this is an accomplishment which has made India the third country in the world to do so.

The satellite made by the students is named “SWAYAM”, a Sanskrit word meaning Self. Alas, trust our newspapers and TV channels which are full of depressing stories to have overlooked this refreshing news.

True, whether India becomes an economic super power in the next decade is a debatable point, but no one can question that ISRO is fast becoming a super space institution. Remember, it launched 20 satellites with the help of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) in a single mission on 22 June last.

Many of which, belonged to foreign countries with varying payloads. Of these, one was special because it was not only an indigenous one but also the smallest too.

Notably, Pune is known as Maharashtra’s Cultural Capital but it is also famous for the educational institutions it houses. Namely, the College of Engineering established in 1854, is one of the oldest in Asia. Even today it is a much sought-after college for various courses in engineering stream.

Add to this, it was again in the limelight on the day of the rocket launch which carried a satellite built by COEP students. The first such incident for the college and the country.

Pertinently, the idea was conceived in 2008 whereby the IIT asked COEP students to develop a Ground Station for a satellite. This triggered the desire to build a satellite by COEP pupils themselves. In fact, those involved in the project were studying in the second year of their engineering course.

Moreover, lack of experience did not deter them and they formed a small team which gave a proposal to the college. In January 2009 the proposal was accepted and students started work. They finished the first draft of technical details within six months which were accepted by ISRO and asked them to complete the concept design in two years. Happily, this was also completed in the given time frame.

Interestingly, the size of the satellite was restricted to 1000 cc and weight to a mere one Kilo as this cube-shaped satellite demanded an innovative approach of construction measuring 100mm x 100 mm x 113 mm. Whereby, the solar panel would provide only two Watts of power.

Hence the satellite’s components were selected carefully to fit its design and size. However, its stabilization was one major problem as conventional magnetorquers (or magnetic torque-a- system to stabilize a satellite built from electromagnetic coil) are bulky and consume more power.

So, the COEP developed an ingenious passive stabilization system using different kind of rods and magnets. Significantly, this Passive Attitude Control System of SWAYAM is not only the first of its kind in India but also so far the only one.  

Further, SWAYAM will synchronize itself with the magnetic field of the Earth to stabilize itself in its prescribed orbit. This technology is also being used for the first time in India and will keep the satellite at a distance of 500 to 800 Kilometers from the Earth. Wherein, its antenna will be directed towards the Earth to receive and send data and signals.

It stands to reason that from its very inception, the college supported the group at every stage and provided crucial infrastructure and advice too. The total cost to build SWAYAM is Rs 50 lakhs. Blissfully, the environmental tests on the Qualification model were successfully completed in June 2014.

The team also fruitfully cleared the Critical Design Review in Bangalore in September 2014. Additionally, all the sub-systems were approved by ISRO scientists and a ‘go ahead’ given for the flight model. Credit to them that in one year the final product was ready to deliver.

Importantly, SWAYAM is basically a bi-directional communication-cum- navigation satellite. Though it will not receive and send any voice or pictures for telephones and TVs it would help track airplanes and ships all over the world. Along-with other base stations established in and outside India for the purpose.

This is called ‘Nano’ or ‘Pico’ satellite. The satellite might be small and the experiment may be termed as even smaller compared to developments taking place in the field of Space technology world over. But it has given tremendous boost to the confidence of Indian students, particularly students of engineering stream.

Specially, against the backdrop of the COEP having no Aerospace Technology department and yet the students have produced a fully functional satellite. A great accomplishment in itself given that satellite technology is a very complex one. But our students have demonstrated that they can excel in it too.

Till date, ISRO has sent 20 satellites in a single launch and became the third nation to achieve such a feat. Many of these were satellites from other nations, thus enabling ISRO earn valuable foreign currency

Indeed, after its missions to Moon and Mars (Chandrayan and Mangalyan respectively) and having emerged as a major force in the space technology, ISRO decided to join hands with an engineering college. Clearly, such collaborations will give students in India a chance to hone and test their skills.

In a milieu whereby the country has always been criticised for lack of research, the COEP students have answered this by creating SWAYAM. Another upside was that research papers on it were presented or published in Italy and South Africa.

Rewards also came their way as a student of the college was honoured with the   Luigi Napolitano award thereby becoming the first Asian to receive it. SWAYAM’s launch is also a moment of pride in the 152 year’s history of COEP. An instant of realisation of their true ‘Self’ for Youth of India.

Time for the media to join in lauding the stupendous feat of COEP’s students and SWAYAM. Was this event not ‘sensational’ enough for them? They have ascertained that Indian students are bright and talented and only need a chance to prove their metal.  

One hopes the Government and other public and private institutions will come forward to support such students and take India further on the road of glory! ----- INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)