Indian Data Relay Satellite System (IDRSS)

Indian Data Relay Satellite System (IDRSS)

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Space Science & Technology

In News

• India plans to bring in its own system of space-to-space tracking and communication of its space assets by putting up a new satellite series called IDRSS. It is basically a set of satellites that will track, send and receive information from other satellites.
• The two-satellite IDRSS is planned to track and be constantly in touch with Indian satellites, in particular those in low-earth orbits which have limited coverage of earth
• IDRSS satellites of the 2,000 kg class would be launched on the GSLV launcher to geostationary orbits around 36,000 km away
• The first beneficiary would be the prospective crew members of the Gaganyaan mission of 2022 who can be fully and continuously in touch with mission control throughout their travel.
• It will be useful in monitoring launches and vital for ISRO which has planned in future several advanced Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions such as space docking, space station, as well as distant expeditions to moon, Mars and Venus