‘We have a new launch vehicle’: ISRO successfully introduces SSLV to the world

On Friday, the Indian Space Research Organization launched the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) on a second trial run to Low Earth Orbit. It was created to take on the responsibilities of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and serve the small satellite launch industry.

With three payloads weighing more than 350 kilogrammes, SSLV, the sixth launch vehicle created and manufactured by Isro, took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota for a 15-minute voyage to Low Earth Orbit. The Earth Observation Satellite-07 was the mission’s main cargo (EOS-7). Janus-1 and AzaadiSAT-2, two rideshare payloads, were also carried by the launch vehicle. The 75 student experiments that were implanted inside the satellite by AzaadiSAT are intended to measure different health parameters like temperature and reset count. As a homage to the National Cadet Corps in honour of its 75th anniversary, the satellite will play NCC Song.

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The three SSLV phases operated essentially as Isro had predicted. But the Velocity Trimming Module, which employed liquid propulsion and served as the terminal stage, was the centre of attention. After the rocket’s three stages separated from it, the VTM fired to create the requisite 450-kilometer circular orbit for the satellite’s deployment. Following the orbital corrections made by VTM, the three satellites were then launched into the desired orbit. After the first demonstration mission for Isro’s brand-new launch vehicle failed, this was its second launch. The satellites were rendered useless by the SSLV D1 mission’s failure to place them in orbit after it was launched in August of last year.

We now have a brand-new launcher. In its second try, SSLV has successfully and precisely positioned the satellites in orbit. Thank you to the three satellite teams. We had a close call owing to a velocity deficiency during SSLV’s first flight. After the launch, Isro director S. Somnath remarked, “We have analysed the issue, determined the corrective action, and qualified the system at a very quick pace. According to Isro, SSLV’s main advantages include low cost, quick turnaround, flexibility in hosting several satellites, viability of launch-on-demand, and minimal launch infrastructure requirements.

India has finally arrived, after a lengthy wait, to serve the lucrative market for tiny satellite launches. Customers from all over the world can utilise the SSLV to launch tiny satellites as high as 500 kilometres above the Earth.The SSLV is equipped to launch items into a 500-kilometer planar orbit that weigh between 10 and 500 kg. Compared to the two months it took to prepare the PSLV, the new launch vehicle can be ready and moved to the launch pad in just over 72 hours.