Hyderabad-based Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) on Tuesday formally handed over the indigenously-built Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) to Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
A collaborative effort between researchers from SDSC and ECIL, the PLCs will essentially be used by the space centre in critical stages while launching satellite systems into the space from Sriharikota.
The ECIL has worked closely with SDSC for about two years to develop the customised control system, which has already undergone a series of validation exercises to meet the stringent requirements for the space centre.
“We have collaborated to produce a control system that in future will replace our other similar systems, which are imported and are being used in ground control. We will be using the ECIL systems for the launch of our PSLV and GSLV launch vehicles,” said SDSC Director M. S. Y. Prasad.
At present, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre is utilising close to 20 imported controlling systems that are used in the ground control while launching the satellite vehicles. “The value of the controlling system developed by the ECIL is close to Rs. 3 crore and in future we want to purchase similar systems worth Rs.15 crore to Rs. 20 crore from them,” Mr.Prasad said.
According to the ECIL researchers, PLCs have multiple uses in nuclear space, security and defence and can be adopted. “You can use these controlling systems where automation is required. We have worked for over two years to fine tune the whole system to meet the needs of the space centre at Sriharikota,” said N. Hema Malini, Technical Manager (Software), ECIL.
