ISRO releases images of Maha Kumbh city, Sangam

Mahakumbh Nagar: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday released before and after satellite images of the tent city here giving an insight into the grandeur of the Maha Kumbh which is drawing crores of people from across the world to take a holy dip at the Sangam. Maha Kumbh, a mega-religious event organised every 12 years, is being held in Prayagraj from January 13 and will continue for 45 days till February 26.

More than eight crore pilgrims have taken a holy dip at the Sangam so far. "Time series images (15 Sep 2023 & 29 Dec 2024) of EOS-04 (RISAT-1A) 'C' band microwave satellite, with its all-weather capability and fine resolution (FRS-1, 2.25m), provides unique insights on details of the Tent City (Layout of Structures and Roads) along with its network of pontoon bridges and supporting infrastructure, set up for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025," ISRO said in a statement.

The time series images captured by the satellites show the construction of Shivalay Park, the India-shaped park in Prayagraj, spread across 12 acres of land and is designed to be a major attraction for the festival.

The images taken on three separate dates capture the construction of the landmark. On the National Remote Sensing Centre's (NSRC) website, time series images of the Triveni Sangam were also shared, showing the difference via images captured in September 2023 and on December 29, 2024.

Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of ISRO has dispatched the Crew Module for the first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan (G1) after successfully completing the integration of the liquid propulsion system, the space agency said on Wednesday. Gaganyaan will be ISRO's first attempt towards acquiring human spaceflight capabilities. Before sending the crew, the ISRO is planning to send uncrewed mission to the space under its Gaganyaan project.

“On 21 January 2025, the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO dispatched the Crew Module for the first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan (G1), after successfully completing the integration of the liquid propulsion system,” ISRO said in a statement.

LPSC, Bengaluru has dispatched the module to Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, officials said. According to the space agency, the Crew Module Propulsion System (CMPS) is a bi-propellant based Reaction Control System (RCS) and is meant for precise three axis control namely Pitch, Yaw and Roll, of crew module. The control will be initiated following separation of service module during the descent and re-entry phase until the deployment of parachute-based deceleration system.