INSAT-3DS Launch: Sona College of Technology powers ISRO’s latest satellite with precision equipment

Sona College’s Sona Special Power Electronics & Electric Drives division –SonaSPEED - supplied key equipment - simplex permanent magnet stepper motors for use in the mixture control actuator during the cryogenic stage - used in the launch stage of ISRO’s meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS that lifted off from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Sriharikota on February 17.

Salem, the town in Tamil Nadu, is famous for its textiles and steel production. It may soon become equally well known as the supplier of components for ISRO’s space missions.

The Salem-based Sona College of Technology once again displayed its sound research capabilities when its SonaSPEED (Sona Special Power Electronics & Electric Drives) division supplied key equipment during the launch stage of ISRO’s meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS that lifted off from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Sriharikota on February 17.

These were a set of simplex permanent magnet stepper motors for use in the mixture control actuator during the cryogenic stage of the launch. The mixture control actuator helps mix liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen in precise combination for a perfect lift off. The Sona SPEED Team created motors were performance tested in the presence of scientists at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre before delivery.

“Sona researchers rigorously followed the process in the design and manufacture of this critical piece of equipment as INSAT-3DS weather satellite has been dubbed the “naughty boy” in the past with 6 out of its 15 flights not performing,” said Dr SRR Senthil Kumar, Principal, Sona College of Technology.

This satellite will greatly assist India's weather agencies and help in providing increasingly accurate weather forecasting and disaster warning.

“With this prestigious order from ISRO, Sona’s research teams have sharpened design and development capabilities that go into making precision equipment for the space, defence and automotive sector,” said Chocko Valliappa, Vice Chairman, Sona College of Technology.

“Our researchers are confident of extending India’s sharp engineering edge to support the government’s Make in India initiative, especially in the defence sector,” adds Valliappa.

Sona College has earned half a dozen multi-million research grants from the Department of Science and Technology, DST-Science and Engineering Research Board, IBM as well as National Technical Textile Mission in the current academic year.

As a reliable partner for developing indigenous technology products like rocket motors for mission critical applications of ISRO, SonaSPEED has been picked up to provide precision components for the ensuing Gaganyaan mission.

The pioneering R&D efforts of researchers and faculty at SonaSPEED have led them to supply ISRO special purpose BLDC (Brushless DC) motors for satellites and rockets as well as lunar robots for previous space missions. Sona College of Technology students, along with students from five other colleges, launched a student PICO satellite from ISRO facilities in September 2017.