Why in news?
India plans to ring in its own era of space to space tracking and communication of its space assets this year by putting up a new satellite series called the Indian Data Relay Satellite System (IDRSS)
More about IDRSS
- The IDRSS is planned to track and be constantly in touch with Indian satellites, in particular those in lower earth orbits which have limited coverage of Earth.
Uses of IDRSS
- In the coming years, it will be vital to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), whose roadmap is dotted with advanced LEO missions such as space docking, space station, as well as distant expeditions to moon, Mars and Venus.
- It will also be useful in monitoring launches, according to K. Sivan, ISRO Chairman
- First beneficiaries of IDRSS will be the crew members of Gaganyaan.