PROJECT 200

Source: HINDU

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Context

Bengaluru-based space startup Bellatrix Aerospace recently unveiled Project 200 on the inaugural day of the Bengaluru Space Expo 2024.

Read about Types of Earth Orbits: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/types-of-orbits-explained

Project 200

Bengaluru-based startup Bellatrix Aerospace announced the development of Project 200, a satellite to be placed in Ultra-Low Earth Orbit (ULEO), between 180 km and 250 km altitude. Although, historically, satellites have been sent to higher orbits above 450 km to reduce interference by the atmosphere, Project 200 has a lower orbit which offers a lot of breakthrough benefits.

Advantages

• Reduced Communication Latency:  At ULEO, there is much less latency that is critical for higher speeds of data transfer in telecom. Note: Data latency is the time delay between when data is sent and when it's received or processed. 
• Enhanced Image Resolution: The satellite provides an image resolution of 3 times more than ordinary, bettering Earth observation.
• Cost Efficiency: Cost of launching and maintaining the number of satellites used in ULEO is minimized since it's a short distance.

Propulsion Technology

One of the primary challenges satellites at the ULEO face is the atmospheric drag, due to which satellites begin failing, becoming deorbited in a few days. With the pioneering propulsion system by Bellatrix Aerospace, satellites can stay in their position at around 200-km altitude for years. This breakthrough in propulsion is critical to satellite applications such as high-resolution Earth observation, telecommunications, and scientific research.

Read about Propulsion system: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/green-propulsion-system#:~:text=Propulsion%20Technology%20refers%20to%20the,an%20equal%20and%20opposite%20reaction.

India’s SpaceTech Transformation

The development of Project 200 is part of a broader shift in India’s space sector toward privatization, following the government’s policy changes to encourage private participation in space technology and exploration. 

Read about private players in Indian Space Sector: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/private-players-in-indian-space-sector

Read about India’s space sector: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/indias-space-sector-22

Sources: 

HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION Q:Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be in such an orbit when: (2011) 1. The orbit is geosynchronous. 2. The orbit is circular. 3. The orbit lies in the plane of the Earth’s equator. 4. The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: a) 1,2 and 3 only b) 1,3 and 4 only c) 2 and 4 only d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Answer: a Explanation: A geostationary orbit, also referred to as a geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO), is a circular geosynchronous orbit 35,786 km (22,236 mi) in altitude above Earth's equator, 42,164 km (26,199 mi) in radius from Earth's center, and following the direction of Earth's rotation.