The next day, at 9.45 AM, we saw a video on SDSC, SHAR and after refreshment, at 11.15 AM, we saw the actual sounding rocket launch (RH-200) which was specially organized for us. It was an amazing experience. After the launch, we saw its Launch Pad and at 1 PM, we came back for “Samvaad”. Around 1.20 PM, Sri K. Sivan, the Chairman, ISRO addressed us. We had an interactive session with him and he taught us the ideology of ISRO Culture. According to him, being a scientist is the easiest profession and that ISRO is successful because of its team work, discipline and punctuality.
We had medal distribution, photography and autograph session and then went to Space Museum and returned to our room at around 4.30 PM. From 6.30 PM, we had a cultural programme presented by the dancers from Tirupati. The next day, we reached ISTRAC at 8.35 AM and learnt about Telemetry Tracking and Command (TTC). Next we saw Solid State Assembly Bay (SSAB). Then we went to Vehicle Assembly Bay (VAB). We also saw the GSLV-MK-III, which will carry the Chandrayaan – 2.
Did you know that VAB is the tallest building in the East Coast? It is 70 Meter long, 56 Meter wide and 96 Meter tall and it is also 43 meter under the ground. Then we saw the second Launch Pad. It can launch three different types of rockets including GSLV and PSLV. We saw the Umbilical Tower. Then we saw the first Launch Pad and Mobile Service Tower (MST) which was 76 Meter high, weighing 3500 tonnes. It has hoisted 39 launches including Mangalyaan in 30 years. On the first Launch Pad we saw the PSLV-C-46, which was to be launched on 22 May, 2019. It was 38 meter high and did not have any strapons.
Then we saw the Solid Motor Test Pad and went to Multi Object Tracking Radar (MOTR). We saw the Integrated Phased Array Antenna, which radiates 1 Mega watt power and is protected inside a Radome. We then went to Liquid Propellant Storage and Service Facility (LSSF). Next we saw the Mission Control Centre and the Launch Control Centre. After lunch, we left for URSC and reached at around 10 PM. On 19th May, 2019, we had our 5th lecture by Mr. Prabhakar at 9 AM on 'different types of satellite and their sub systems'.
We learned about the importance of satellites and other applications, based on orbits and based on mass. We learnt about the sub systems of satellites, Control Moment Gyros (CMG), Gyroscopic Effect and Thrusters. The next lecture was by Dr. P. Murugan on Applications of Satellites. We learnt about Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), Navigation, GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN), Navigation with Indian Constellation (NAVIC) and Positioning Navigation & Timing (PNT). The next lecture was by Mr. Prabhakar on Man’s Quest for flying. At 1.40 PM, we had the session of Space Robotics by Sri N.S. Murali and team.
We learnt about different types of Space Robots like Planetary Rovers, Inorbit Operators, Probes, Astronaut Assistants and Robonots. We saw demonstration of Robotic Arms and then we split into eight teams for a project. We had to make Rover, which could put catapult balls the farthest without human interference. My team consisted of me, Subhadra, Ankit and Bidhan. We became the winner after our Rover catapulted the ball to a distance of 1 meter. This was one of the most fun-filled practical sessions I had ever had. Let me tell you that neither I nor any of my teammates liked Robotics, but even then due to the guidance and support of Murali Sir, we enjoyed the session a lot and became the winner.
The write up is in first person, written by Dhriti Barnwal, a class 9 student of Delhi Public School, Ranchi, who was one of the 108 children in India who attended the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) YUVIKA programme from May 13 to May 25.