Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has revealed details of its long-standing partnership with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). For more than 15 years, the company's advanced automation technology has been a critical component in the ground operations for India's key space missions, including the historic Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing.
The collaboration focuses on providing robust and reliable automation systems at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India's primary spaceport. This technology ensures the seamless and precise execution of complex launch vehicle and satellite mission procedures.
Key Takeaways
- Schneider Electric and ISRO have maintained a technology partnership for over 15 years.
- The company provides advanced automation systems for ISRO's primary launch facility, SDSC SHAR.
- This technology has been instrumental in major missions, including Chandrayaan-3 and GSLV-F16.
- The collaboration focuses on enhancing the precision, reliability, and safety of India's space launch operations.
A 15-Year Technological Alliance
The partnership between Schneider Electric and ISRO represents a significant, long-term collaboration that has quietly supported the growth of India's space program. Over the past decade and a half, Schneider has supplied a range of automation solutions tailored to the unique and demanding environment of a space launch facility.
These systems are integrated into various applications across the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, forming the technological backbone for pre-launch preparations, launch sequences, and post-launch monitoring. The sustained nature of this relationship highlights the trust ISRO has placed in Schneider's technology for its most critical and high-profile national projects.
What is SDSC SHAR?
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre, located on the island of Sriharikota, is the main spaceport of the Indian Space Research Organisation. It features two operational launch pads from which ISRO's workhorse rockets, such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), are launched. All of India's satellite and interplanetary missions, including missions to the Moon and Mars, have begun their journey from this facility.
The Critical Role of Automation in Space Launches
Space missions are exercises in precision, where thousands of parameters must be perfectly aligned for a successful launch. Advanced automation technology is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity in this high-stakes environment. Schneider Electric's systems play a vital role in managing these complex operations.
Key functions supported by this technology include:
- Power Management: Ensuring a stable and uninterrupted power supply to all critical systems during the countdown and launch.
- Sequential Operations: Automating the thousands of steps in a launch countdown, from fueling the rocket to final systems checks, which must occur in a precise order and timeframe.
- Data Monitoring: Collecting and processing real-time data from countless sensors on the launch vehicle and ground support equipment.
- Safety Systems: Managing emergency shutdown procedures and other safety protocols that protect personnel and assets.
The reliability of these automation systems directly impacts the success and safety of every mission that leaves the launchpad. A single failure in a critical system could lead to a costly delay or a catastrophic mission failure.
Precision and Reliability
Automation in space launch operations reduces the potential for human error in repetitive, complex tasks. Computer-controlled systems can execute commands with millisecond precision, a level of accuracy that is essential when dealing with rocket propellants, high-pressure systems, and sensitive electronics.
Supporting India's Landmark Missions
Schneider Electric's technology has been a part of some of ISRO's most celebrated achievements. The company's support was integral to the operations behind several significant missions that have elevated India's standing in the global space community.
Chandrayaan-3: A Historic Lunar Landing
The successful soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission on the Moon's south pole in August 2023 was a landmark moment for India. The ground operations at Sriharikota, powered by Schneider's automation infrastructure, were flawless in preparing and launching the LVM3 rocket that carried the lander and rover into space. This mission made India only the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.
GSLV-F16 and Beyond
The partnership also supported the launch of the GSLV-F16 rocket, which carried the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite into orbit. This mission is crucial for enhancing India's weather forecasting and disaster warning capabilities. The automation systems ensure that complex vehicles like the GSLV, with its cryogenic upper stage, are handled with the necessary precision during all ground phases.
"For over 15 years, we have partnered with ISRO, contributing to critical milestones that have propelled India’s stature in the global space community. This reflects our commitment to delivering precision, reliability, and sustainability in mission-critical environments," said Deepak Sharma, Zone President, Greater India, MD & CEO, Schneider Electric India.
Future of the Partnership and Indian Space Exploration
As India's space ambitions continue to grow, the role of reliable ground infrastructure becomes even more important. ISRO is currently developing its Gaganyaan program, which aims to send Indian astronauts into orbit. Human spaceflight missions require an even higher level of safety and reliability, placing greater demands on the automation and control systems at the launch site.
The established partnership with Schneider Electric provides a strong foundation for supporting these future endeavors. The continuous improvement of automation technology will be key to managing the increased complexity of missions to come, from human spaceflight to further interplanetary exploration and the deployment of next-generation satellites.
In his statement, Deepak Sharma further emphasized this forward-looking perspective. "As India accelerates its ambitions in space exploration, Schneider Electric is proud to be a trusted technology partner of ISRO, enabling the infrastructure behind India’s critical space missions," he noted. This sentiment underscores the strategic importance of the collaboration for both organizations as they work towards future milestones in space.