July 1980 ROCKETS FOR MONEX and a new range too MONEX stands for Monsoon Experiment. As the name indicates tho intention is to study global as well as regional characteristics of the monsoon. MONEX was part of a wide and general study campaign known as Global Atmosphoric Research Pragram crgenised by the International Council of Scientific Unions and Werld Meteorological Organisation. Our country actively participated in this MONEX experiment, through the India Meteorological Department. The Department of Space is represented in the MONEX Management Committee which guides and directs MONEX. ISAO enters the scene with the responsibility of developing and launching meteorological rockets from TERLS, SHAR and Balasore (Oriss2). Meteorolo. gical rockets were simultaneously fired from these tree launch sites to study the upper atmosphere. Besidas these rockat experiments, ISRO slso undertook measurements of temper ature, pressure and humidity at reletivaly lower heights in the atmosphere, upto about 30 km, Using what ig called "Upsonde’, We will, for the present purposes, dwell on the rocket experiment part of ISRO's contribution for very obvious reasons; it was done by VSSC. For the rocket meteorology experiments, a two-stage rocket was developed at VSSC. Designatad as RH-200 (Rohini rocket with the first stage of diameter of about 200 mim), this fin-stabilized, spinning rocket could take a payload of 10 kg to a height of 65 km into tho atmosphere. The payload is chalf-a bundle of copper needles—which is dispersed in the atmosphere as the rocket goss up. These needles act as reflectors for the radar (acated fon ground. ‘Tha course of the chaff, as fallowed by the radar, indicates the nature of wind at those levels of atmosphere,Let us take @ closer look at the rocket RH-209. On the launch pad, it weights 110 ka and starids over 3 mettes. Its first stage, more, technically known as tha booster, is made of special hiah-strenath steel formed into a tube by welding continuously elong a spiral track. It weighs nearly 75 kg. Sitting on top of this booster is the second stage, called the sustal- ner, weighing 25 kg end 120 mm in diameter. Once ignited the booster exhausts its propellant, In barely 6 seconds. After first stage bumout the sustainer separates itself from the booster and for the next 18 seconds it continues its motion by inertia, At the end of this phase, known as ‘coasting’ the sustainer is ignited, This buming fasts for another 3} seconds. In the vicinity of the apogee, the heighest point in the rocket's path, the chaff mentioned eerlier is disparsed by the action of an electronic timer located in the payload, 200 such rockets were required to be launched during the year 1979 for the MONEX. This burden was so much that in spite of going full steam in the facilities. inside VSSC, small scale industries outside ISRO had to bo depond- 8d upon. Various parts necessary for the rockets were menulactured under the guidance of VSSC in such industries. This promotion of small-seale industry was, incidentally, one of the pay-offs of our work for the MONEX. Developed far MONEX ot VISC Asis well known, ISRO had earlier only two launch sites—one at Thumba and the other at Stiharikota, MONEX activity damanded ono More on the east coast. The location selected ‘was Balasore in the state of Orissa. A rocket range must, of necessity, be equipped with facilities such as tocket storage and rocket ‘assembly space, leunch pad, control centre, radar, meteorological support and other com- munication equipment. 4 full-fledged racket launch station fit for reguler operation wes established in barely 9 months at Balasore by our colleagues, acommendable job indesd. The first rocket zoomed from this Jaunch site on January 24, 1979. In addition to the RH-200 rockets from the three locations, a further Seventy-five M-100 rockets (USSR-make) were also launchod from TERLS, for the MONEX program. __ The mass of data, collected from this large: number of rocket firings has been furnished to Ingle Meteorological Department as also to other scientists. Processing and analysing this massive information is bound to take some time. Hopatully, weather exparts will extract enough vital inferences thet would help evolve a clearer picture of tho behaviour of monsoon in India leading to accurate prediction of weathe, O OOOS & i Everts ISRO-UGC WORKSHOP ON ROCKET EXPERIMENTS ISRO and UGC jointly organized at VSSC during May 5—17, 1980 2 workshop-cum-seminer on rocket experiments in space sciences and meteorology, the first ever in India. Ata function presi- ded over by Dr. VR. Gowariker, Director, VSSC, Prof. K S. Viswa- nathan, Head, Dept. of Physics, Kerala University formally inaugu. rated the workshop, Dr-S.C. Gupta, Director, Avionics Group hight lighted achievements and goals of ISRO stressing on ISRO's efforts in promoting space science end metecrology in Incia, Attended by 21 delegates from various Indien universities, the Workshop feat ured talks on topics such as space science & meteorology ex- periments, roc ket payloads, payload integr- ation, sounding rockets, teleme- try and tracking systems and faunch opera- tions. Altoge ther, there were 22 talks by ex- ports from var ous fields; this was followed by visits to launch facilities and ground stations. It was ovident fiom the discussions betwoon the delegates and the scientists engineers of VSSC the workshop was successful in creating interest in tna field of sounding rocket experiments amongst the delegates. FROM THE VSSC VISITORS’ BOOK I have just completed my first visit to VSSC. It was all too short-just under 24 hours~ but it was enough to bring home to me the high degree of dedication that has characteris ed the working of this Cente as well as other units of the Deo. of Space. Iwes greatly impressed by the accent on self: reliance—an emphasis that has yielded sich dividends in the form of physical achievement ‘over the years. | have no doubt thet cur scientists and engi- neers can look forward to an exciting and productive future, sa/- . R. KRISHNASWAMY RAO SAHIB Member, Space Commission & Sectetary 10 Prime Minister We repioduce e circular dated May 30, 1980 in segard to a motto for VSSC. © People ofien work wth aor spin expression wich can then be [SRO Cen June 12.1980 to the Chiat Editor. Count Down, I, ovan if ite any of the known aistatone of oreat think from any rogion 01 language. Ifthe cuoteton is trom any af out regional languege, tauivalont in Eraish ot Hindi, An appropriate Ccmmittae will jdce ane ido the best end the rest enty, for whlsh Diecter, VEGC hee offered [out of his tsoute0s) two pree ol Rs. 109 ara Rs, SO texpectivly, Please subs your entes batore oven without being conscious ina here is some sush driving forse behind their scion, As 9 community, YSSC can be no. sxcenton {YOu icantly this spirit 30 far a5 VSSC is concerned and capture i in an “Visible” and eperative motto for this Ingest of the ‘The response to this announcement has been good, but quite a few of the entries wore found to be too lengthy. What we had in mind ves a crisp phrase or sentence noi exceeding 10 to 12 wards, fit to serve as.an oporative motto for the centre, It has hence boon docidod 10 provice a fresh opportunity to employees for sending apt suggestions on the above lines. ‘The revised deadline for the receipt of entries will be July 20, 1980.THE BICYCLE ERA To the mobility conscious “Thumbite”, particularly for an old timer, who is here since the early sixiles, the bieycle brings moments of nostalgia that speak of the history of the ISRO. itself, Those wore days (1963-1965) ‘when the progress of the Thumba station wos contiolled by @ single vehicle. A green coloured standard van was the work herse that ferried mail, people, coffee, stores and chemicals. There was no point within the Trivandrum city limits that was not touched by this remarkable vehicle - provided there was a road to ao. bicycle to all earthly uses that ‘for rockets, While the Prime sven the manufacturers could Minister was dedicating TERLS to All other movements were the hardly conceive the United Nations, a bicycle manopaly ofithe tlevele spactall carried the precious payload trom ‘an aeatnusa chee Hasie vor if =afand Wensmitting building in the north Divisions would all have th bicycles reserved for “inspection rounds” during fixed time siots They would hop on to it and pedal Off to distance places in the hot sun; mercifully the roads were=a level, for the Veli Complex wes east. im ‘andShort rides. The simple yetto emerge. At other times, polised these routes, In faci, it bicycle was overtaken by the fuel the rest of the staff would put the carried of all things, even payloads. thirsty automobiles. fer this that the on ‘Ambassadors and sos bogan. Veli hills part of the scone and the era of level..and Counting The scene of action has shifted to Sriharikota for the second experimental launch. of SLV-3. Key personnel from VSSC and SHAR, are at work there getting the vehicle and the: ground systems ready for the mission. Here are some of the major milestones crossed in June’ © Thestage motors ae assembled with nozzles and other accessories, © The base shroua has been fitted on to the first stage. © All the thee stage convl systems have reached SHAR aftor succarsful vibration testing at VSSC. «The first phase of checks on tha equloment bay are aver, The pyrotechnic systems are boing ascombied. © The ground telemetry, tracking and command stations are standing by. Tho second rea! time computer is being ‘commissioned, © The countdown is continuing ©. The SLV-3 weighs 17 Tonnes at lit-oft. (© More than 40 work contres contributed their might to tho building of SLV-2. ° ° ‘The SLV.3 leaves the earth with a force of 57 Tonnes. The fourth and the final stage, which gives almost hal! the required speed of 28,000 km/hr. to the satellite to get into orbit, woighs baroly 29, of tho total weight 6. Thore ore 44 major sub-systems in SLV-3, © Neerly 7,000 electrical components are used inthe vehicle. There are about 800 integrated ireuit chipe, 200 transistors, 450 diodes, 2000 copacitors and 3,000 resistors wired | | inside the vehicle | © Anillion meticulously soldered joints connect the electrical network together. | ©. Electrical signels rush back and forth inside the vehicle through 15 km length of wire © About 40,000 fasteners are use6 in the SL-3. © Prior to the launch 6.000 paramaters ara examined to ascertain the well-being of the | sub-systems. | © Dusing the final 5 minutes befor the Sito computer tks out 600 pares.HOUSE JOURNAL AWARDS Readers af COUNTDOWN know that it was Rajaram Nagappa of PSN who suggested the name of our House Journal, The second best entry in the “'Name-your-house-journal” com- petition was. that submitted by T. Jayakumar of PCS, ‘The Editorial Board felt it would be appropriate to request one of our senior employees to hard over the awards to the winners. Shri Cheilappan Pillai of Transport Section kindly agieed to our request. ‘On June 10, 1980, ate simple ceremony attended by the Editorial Board and the Direct- of, VSSC, Shri Pillai handed over the awards to Nagappa and Jayakumer. Shri CHELLAPPAN PILLAI Having beon in VSSC transport section for the past 17 years, Shri P, Challapnan Pillai has. seen the organisation grow from a 3-man security post to the procont 4,000 strength. He teminisces of early days in 1963 when the then. Civil Engineering Division first commenced operation in a hired building near Modol School in Trivandrum city. Subsequently the office moved to the Schcol Building” on the Thumba campus. The roeds were just then being laid and he drove the firet ever vehicle acquited for the station in 1963-a Standard Van He was proud witness to the first rocket launch in November 1963. He rose to bacome = heavy vehicle driver and is now a driver-cum-vehicie oxaminer, Shri Pillai hails from Haripad> Alleppey District, is manied and has two children 5)anom sesame BLAIBAS AG BlMo [arnm cianrarou wnerasen mvsreismyes agoasis qywomagys reramuaininase a) ep ores" arp Ts? amanlos awlsoDd @lossjavdasa ejudemMadesDo) weer om osonam wiaaiw amgimge ae! aa! ciple). 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Tac aie ciel aDdagIDMer duosea@ecios av.daleens. ace menial mieianajiear. atomigec: oie ecammim* iwi Og agaATr. gaje® wolajoao sun*, ovacdmyol asyaceiané "eRy apm Romie mist oaogaem esmicies ola FerujoTons 25 10M5 Gaia” GNANTTOS lal 8997 eum "alow" ‘em Goaiae asm oye Reames qo wwe aD Osa} dawoe oe ajeuvD) cy.Kme ees a1 aig uminie wean |. ageTi0d laden Islal calg! Glasrwasiiocso goose * productive’ amelgat code mation. OOD aan poilacr-ng@92@ s100 ewQerce—aialoawounstos; file. mamalensez oMeasomnssas cam) Ganlooass dm. atTGIpMH aNteye asye coamgias. says aslisiapange orgy, 039 avacte mel mccig@ ‘aaa allailiy azaloo lasts Ste anlaouniearn amagearronim wemawse aw a/leyqe g@aiicoam gjomyamagiad oxime. No. 3SPORTS LIGHT 1S R O-INTER-CENTRE SPORTS Tha first ve Badminton (Shuttle) Tournament was hosted by SAC, Alvnscabad tn April 1980, in thelr newly con- structed indaor court VSSC annexed tha overall team championstie. | this (oulnamant, which was conducted on jeague basis. VSoc deleaco SAG (4-1) onthe first day and SHAR (3-0) ‘on the sei SAC celeated SHAR (4-1) and cleimed the second place. VSSC was iopresented by: NN. Rejssekharan Nsir REF (Captain); N. Krishnamoorthy FRPO; NN. Ramechendran SPD; © P.G. Nambiar ISI; NN. Monon INSTEF; VSSC hosted the first. 1SA Intar — Centre Table Tennis Tournament at eKS.C 7. Tennis Hall May 1989. 27 players from fi- ve Centres par ticipated. VSSC annexed all the titles, in Team Championship, . Open Singles and Open Dou. bios: S.K. Jain bagged in the event beating S.V. Ramana Rao also ftom VSSC. The doubles event was won by 8. K. Jain and G.K Kuruvile VSSC was represented by: MIG (Captin); 8.K. Jain TED; OMG; 8. V, Ramane Rao GAD; G. Josh GAD; HAS. Moni PSN (Manager) VSSC CRICKET YVSSC Cricket Team registered yet'ancther victory in. the Senior Division District Cricket League on Juna 14, 1980 beating Murugan Cricket Club. A good knock of 60 (with five hits to the boundary and a six) by C. D. Prasad and a fine plece of bowling by Ramesh Sampeth (4 far 25) aided them to collect the bonus point in the process. Oihor contributions include 24 runs from K. Nagendra, 20.tuns fiom Mohankumer and good bowling performances by. Sanioo) tos eiiaale asomganomnioe oars engaviaitale. apereoeggece wisl agpaariomnie! a3 ansgsioe90 salmaee ase) Bk sonnei pres aacamarse aloes sso Cision ay cumrojexspes asiona ent aero San sujaimtoasnnm eerBoq sia iase ong Sst ansaigiape ccsometetenied we Som gain ssa leibam auteloste *asneisoay Sino ovanmigim — stsimccymonrmieh or) Saon0g)o ane ee .80) BoOBaq. x) GUIS aminlgpoo® @asss e2q po anemoarn De\WNAIags OOIRIeU- acaDlagIs cosgDR Aismomnieoley ebay @sTaosems massa @elaNgiem, sasyoumcy aslo escaee ad dial, Bwwla) PaDIxenI0~ aInplassaceR™ man Exqac sane saNl@aronand¥ scm" 22 GIEY_—Maamee allajosen@onama at aoveRoa} cris moeinns Ons” ira, asda 9MIo lay meio ED ates TS K. Nagendra, Manjunath and R, Kk, Sharma who captured two | soplece' escinn moan ianigiminerme ayes wicksls cach. Scores: VSSC, 183 for 7 declared (in 38 overs) ; | agin,par somniajayisnrg” amy uiomngseO? Murugan 123. lags: ow 10H ganas eae 1ele "Gh Esior 5. Amvanueas Depety Chlet eal G.Pe3ike, N SunGuaryan, Rolarun Naggod, _Matctanjon 0; Radars Rats VS hacdooains Hs, Pane Esitotal Board Annanma ihn: Manin Ral aha Ranochndan Menai Pat toy Gamen sk Uele GM ae A G-Bab Leyeut, phetoaraahy ete We Rename Athi, ‘Thomas Varshese; Sowoprakash; J.P. Wiltad. Siniaslaooat; AX. Dy: Siacanrm Ka Disks p adhe Nal Ke suburson Ne, Tf: Ponaewrn,