Meghalaya and Tripura media delegation visits ISRO’s ISTRAC in Bengaluru, gains insight into space mission operations

A 14-member media delegation from Meghalaya and Tripura recently visited the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru as part of the Karnataka Press Tour. The delegation had the opportunity to interact with Dr. A K Anil Kumar, the Outstanding Scientist and Director of ISTRAC, gaining valuable insights into the operations of this critical ISRO facility.

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ISTRAC's key role in India's satellite and space missions

ISTRAC plays a key role in providing telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) support for India's satellite and space missions. Dr. Kumar reportedly highlighted the center’s involvement in real-time mission operations, including the monitoring of launch vehicles, satellite tracking, and deep-space communication.

A significant highlight of the visit was a tour of the Mission Operations Complex (MOX), the control hub for satellite and interplanetary mission management. The delegation witnessed firsthand how spacecraft telemetry and navigation data are monitored. Dr. Kumar also spoke about the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which successfully soft-landed on the Moon's south pole, with operations managed from this facility, marking India’s historic achievement.

Further, Dr. Kumar discussed the expansion of ISRO's infrastructure in Northeast India, including a new space surveillance center in Chandrapur, Assam. The government has already allocated 200 bighas of land for this project. He also emphasized the significant role of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC) in supporting disaster management, agriculture, urban planning, and environmental monitoring across the region.