TDB-DST signs agreement with Astrome for ₹64.05 crore RDI support to develop sovereign space-based AI-ELINT constellation

Why in News

The Technology Development Board (TDB) agreed to provide ₹64.05 crore to Astrome to develop a space-based artificial intelligence-enabled electronic intelligence (AI-ELINT) constellation.

Prelims Pointers

• TDB functions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). RDI stands for Research, Development and Innovation.
• The proposed system uses 50-kg-class microsatellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). It is a development project, not an already operational constellation.
• The system has three principal components.
  1. An ELINT payload to detect and analyse electronic signals.
  2. AI-enabled ground software to process information.
  3. Inter-satellite communication links to exchange information between satellites.
• Geostationary orbit lies about 35,786 km above the equator. A satellite there appears fixed over one location because its orbital period matches Earth’s rotation.

Prelims Traps

• “A low-Earth-orbit satellite remains fixed over the same point on Earth.” This is incorrect. That is a characteristic of geostationary orbit, not LEO.
• “Inter-satellite links connect satellites only to ground stations.” This is incorrect. They enable communication between satellites.