Robotic spacecraft is cheaper yet people are sent into space, why?

Due to analytical decision-making or constant adjustments like monitoring microgravity experiments in protein crystal growth or looking for evidence of fossil life on mars; humans are preferred.

When are we going to mars?

Probably by the end of year 2010.

What is the maximum speed of a space shuttle?

It is about 7.8 km/s. for earth's closer orbital missions.

What is its normal altitude?

It is about 300 km to 500 km. Above sea level, depending on its mission.

How much fuel does it use?

It is normally loaded with more than 500.00 gallons of super cooled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.

What are the names of the U.S. Space shuttle orbiters?

These are enterprise, Columbia, challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavor.

On which date, challenger's accident took place?

Challenger along with its seven member crew accidented on January 28, 1986.

What is the approximate cost of a Space Shuttle?

It is about 1.7 billion dollars.

What happen to used spacecraft?

They undergo detailed post- mission analysis and after that they are displayed for the public at NASA centers and science museums, across the country.

Is it true that launching the space shuttle creates a local ozone hole, and that the shuttle releases more chlorine than all industrial uses worldwide?

As per 1990 report it was found that about 0.25 percent of the total amount of halocarbons released annually worldwide, was released during space shuttle missions, which can't harm ozone layer.

What is the purpose of INSTAT-3B ?

It is intended for business communication, Developmental communication and mobile communication.

What is the provision of communication payload?

It provides 12 extended C-band channels, each having a bandwidth of 36MHz.

What is the provision of Ku-band payload?

It provides three channels, Having a bandwidth of 77/72 MHz.

How much power is provided for C-band transponders?

15 Watt.

How much power provided for Ku-band?

55 Watt.

What is VSAT ?

Very Small Aperture terminal.

Who are the users of VSAT ?

These are booking & financial institutions, stock markets, white goods, fast moving consumer goods, and medium to heavy engineering companies.

What is MSS ?

Mobile satellite Service.

What is LAM?

Liquid Apogee Motor.

During first orbit raising, what was the final perigee altitude ?

It was 14214.km.

What is thrust developed by LAM ?

440 N.

What are the apogee & perigee of second Intermediate Orbit of INSAT-3B ?

Apogee - 35662 km. Perigee-32012 km.

What are the parking locations of various INSAT-satellites in geostationary orbit ?

( a ) INSAT -2B & INSAT-2C are collocated at 93.5 degree east longitude. ( b ) INSAT -ID and INSAT -2A are collocated at 74 degree east longitude. ( c ) INSAT -2DT is located at 55 degree east longitude. ( d ) INSAT -2E & INSAT -3B are collocated at 83 degree east longitude.

What is the dry mass of INSAT-3B ?

It is 970 kg.

What are the various tests performed over INSAT - 3B ?

These are vibration test, solar array deployment test, balancing machine test, CG measurement test, acoustic test and thermovacuum test.

What are the important abbreviations?

IRS- Indian Remote-sensing satellite INSAT- Indian National Satellite SROSS - Stretched Rohini Satellite Series PSLV- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV - Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

To what tank is the special propellant management device attached ?

It is attached to an indigenously developed titanium propellant tank and it ensures bubble - free propellant supply under zero-G environment.