INDIA: Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) announced it was selected by Lilium (Nasdaq: LILM), the developer of the first all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) jet, to supply propulsion unit position sensors for the Lilium Jet. Honeywell designed these sensors, known as “resolvers,” specifically for the needs of the Lilium Jet. The sensors will play a critical role in accurately sensing the engine’s position, ensuring that the jet can safely reach the exact position required for a successful takeoff.

Creating sensing solutions for regional air mobility supports Honeywell’s portfolio alignment to three compelling megatrends: automation, the future of aviation, and energy transition. Honeywell is an investor in Lilium and supplies many key components for the Lilium Jet, including e-motors for the engines, avionics, onboard thermal management systems, and the flight control computer.

“Honeywell’s expertise in both the aerospace and sensing industries means that they can understand the unique needs of and create tailored solutions for the Lilium Jet,” said Yves Yemsi, chief operating officer at Lilium. “In rethinking the traditional resolver, Honeywell is playing a key role in turning our concept, a fully electric jet that takes off and lands vertically, into a reality.”

Lilium is creating the world’s first eVTOL jet and aims to develop zero operating emissions, and accessible modes of high-speed, regional transportation. The Lilium Jet is powered by 30 electric ducted fan engines, each of which needs to move precisely from a vertical to a horizontal position to support takeoff and forward movement in the air. This action is controlled by a resolver, traditionally a heavier piece of equipment composed of coils of copper wire and magnetic steel.

Honeywell, working closely with Lilium, created a customized, solid-state resolver using patented spiral magnet technology and magneto-resistive sensors that can determine the position of magnetic objects. The resolver is substantially less expensive and lighter-weight than traditional counterparts. Although specific to the Lilium Jet, this Honeywell-patented technology can be replicated across other types of electric aircraft and will play an important role in furthering the adoption of advanced air mobility.

“This expansion of the existing partnership between Honeywell and Lilium demonstrates the companies’ ongoing commitment to create solutions for the future of more sustainable transportation,” says Sarah Martin, president of Honeywell Sensing Solutions. “A growing number of eVTOLs will be flying above us very shortly, representing a groundbreaking step in the electrification of air transport. Our sensors, though small, are playing a large part in making these aircraft a reality.”

The post HONEYWELL DEVELOPS INNOVATIVE LIGHTWEIGHT SENSOR TECHNOLOGY FOR THE LILIUM JET appeared first on NRI News.

INDIA: India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has been making strides in space exploration with its Chandrayaan missions. The latest mission, Chandrayaan-3, was launched on July 14, 2023, and is currently in its lunar orbit.

The mission aims to land a rover on the moon’s surface and conduct scientific experiments. The rover will be equipped with instruments to study the moon’s surface, mineralogy, and geology. The mission is also expected to provide valuable data on the moon’s water resources.

Chandrayaan-3’s journey began on July 14, 2023, when the LVM3 M4 vehicle successfully launched the spacecraft into orbit. The spacecraft, in its precise orbit, began its journey to the moon. The health of the spacecraft was reported to be normal.

On July 15, 2023, the first orbit-raising maneuver (Earthbound firing-1) was successfully performed at ISTRAC/ISRO, Bengaluru. The spacecraft was then in a 41762 km x 173 km orbit.

On July 17, 2023, the second orbit-raising maneuver was performed, and the spacecraft was now in a 41603 km x 226 km orbit. On July 22, 2023, the fourth orbit-raising maneuver (Earth-bound perigee firing) was completed, and the spacecraft was now in a 71351 km x 233 km orbit.

On July 25, 2023, the orbit-raising maneuver was performed, and the next firing (TransLunar Injection) was planned for August 1, 2023. On August 1, 2023, the spacecraft was inserted into the translunar orbit, and the orbit achieved was 288 km x 369328 km. Lunar-Orbit Insertion (LOI) was planned for August 5, 2023.

On August 5, 2023, Chandrayaan-3 was successfully inserted into the lunar orbit. The orbit achieved was 164 km x 18074 km, as intended. The very next day, ISRO completed the second lunar-bound maneuver and put the spacecraft into an orbit of 170 km x 4313 km.

On August 9, 2023, ISRO announced that Chandrayaan-3’s orbit was reduced to 174 km x 1437 km following a maneuver. Five days later, the mission entered the orbit circularization phase with the fourth lunar-bound maneuver on August 14, placing the spacecraft into an orbit of 151 km x 179 km.

On August 16, 2023, the spacecraft was fired, and it is now in an orbit of 153 km x 163 km. The mission is currently in the orbit circularization phase, and the spacecraft is in a circular orbit of 151 km x 179 km.

The next important milestone for the mission is the lander and propulsion module separation, which is planned for later today, August 17, 2023. The separation will set the stage for the lander’s descent to the moon’s surface.

The lander, named Vikram, is designed to land on the moon’s surface and conduct scientific experiments. The lander is equipped with instruments to study the moon’s surface, mineralogy, and geology. The lander will also carry a rover, which will be deployed on the moon’s surface to conduct further experiments.

The mission’s success will depend on the lander’s safe landing on the moon’s surface. The landing is expected to take place in the next few days, and the ISRO is closely monitoring the mission’s progress.

Chandrayaan-3 is a crucial mission for India’s space program, and its success will mark a significant milestone in the country’s space exploration efforts. The mission is expected to provide valuable data on the moon’s resources and pave the way for future missions to the moon and beyond.

In conclusion, Chandrayaan-3’s journey to the moon has been eventful, with several successful maneuvers and orbit insertions. The mission is currently in the orbit circularization phase, and the lander and propulsion module separation is planned for later today. The ISRO is closely monitoring the mission’s progress, and the success of the mission will mark a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts.

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