SRMSAT-2: A Mission for National Water Security
Leveraging space technology to address one of the world's most critical environmental challenges.
Addressing the Water Crisis from Orbit
The water crisis, encompassing shortages, pollution, and other critical issues, ranks as a top global risk by impact. Water pollution poses a complex and escalating threat to the economy and public health of many nations. Accurate and rapid monitoring of our water environment is therefore essential for evaluating water quality on both regional and national scales. In response, SRMSAT-2 is proposed as a dedicated water monitoring nanosatellite, designed to provide valuable imaging data to benefit our state and nation.
Mission Objectives
Develop a 3U Nanosatellite
To design, develop, launch, and operate a 3U SRMIST Nanosatellite with a state-of-the-art imaging payload to serve the nation.
Create a Network of Excellence
To foster a leading collaborative platform in space science at SRMIST by connecting university departments, regional industry, and the scientific ecosystem.
Enhance Student Skills
To provide students with high-level skills in space engineering, project management, and the space environment, equipping them with future leadership qualities.
Establish Regional Excellence
To make SRMIST a regional center of excellence in space science and engineering through the establishment of continuing programs.
Project Methodology
A phased approach to satellite development, driven by students and faculty.
1. Ground Station Upgradation
The existing UHF/VHF ground station will be upgraded to ensure robust tracking and data reception capabilities, preparing the team for post-launch operations.
2. Nanosatellite Development
Students and faculty will design and develop the SRMSAT-2 nanosatellite, integrating an advanced commercial or in-house camera for imaging water bodies.
3. Launch & Operations
The team will interface with launch agencies for satellite deployment and subsequently operate the satellite from the upgraded ground station to produce usable image products.
Additional Project Benefits
Understanding the nation's regulatory procedures for launching a satellite.
Establishing relationships with industry for fabrication and with space agencies like ISRO for testing.
Establishing a dedicated Space Lab on the SRMIST campus for satellite development.
Creating a common platform for other aerospace and robotics projects to share developments.
Promoting the real-world use of SRMSAT-2 images by establishing relationships with other agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
The project is a response to the global water crisis, which includes water shortage and pollution. The project is built on the need for accurate and fast water environment monitoring to enable the comprehensive evaluation of water quality on a regional and national scale.
The proposal outlines the development of a nanosatellite to image the Earth's water bodies. It is described as both a 3U and a 6U SRM IST Nanosatellite that will be equipped with a state-of-the-art, advanced commercial imaging camera and other commercial components.
The nanosatellite will be designed and developed by the students and faculty of SRMIST. The project aims to provide students with high-level skills and equip them with future leadership qualities.
Students will be central to the program. They will operate the upgraded ground station and use it for the satellite's operation post-launch. Furthermore, preliminary mission design challenges in various fields of engineering and technology are presented to students for reward-winning solutions.
The first step is the upgradation of the existing ground station. The current UHF, VHF ground station needs to be upgraded with a good tracking system to be ready to track and receive telemetry and image data from the SRMSAT-2 satellite. This initial phase will also involve tracking existing HAM satellites to train students.
Yes. The program intends to interface with launch agencies to launch the satellite. It also aims to establish inter-relationships with industry for fabrication and with space agencies like ISRO to use their test facilities to test the satellite. The goal is to coordinate with other agencies to use the satellite's images for applications in our state and nation.
The long-term aim is to make SRMIST a regional center of excellence in space science and engineering with continuing programs. The project will also establish a dedicated Space Lab on campus and create a common platform to share designs and developments with other aerospace and robotics projects of common interest.
An official student club of SRM Institute of Science and Technology.