Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the third developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Friday (August 16). The SSLV-D3 placed the Earth observation satellite EOS-08 precisely into orbit. It also marks the completion of ISRO/Department of Space’s SSLV Development Project. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and India’s private space industry can now produce SSLVs for commercial missions.

ABOUT SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE

WHAT IS SSLV? SSLV is a rocket that is designed to orbit satellites weighing less than 500 kg in Low Earth Orbit and 300 kg to Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). It is a 3 stage Launch Vehicle configured with three Solid Propulsion Stages and liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage.

KEY FEATURES OF SSLV

  • SSLV is the smallest vehicle at 110-ton mass at ISRO.
  • It will take only 72 hours to integrate, unlike the 70 days taken now for a launch vehicle.
  • Only six people will be required to do the job, instead of 60 people.
  • The other features include: flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, Launch on demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.

SIGNIFICANCE OF SSLV

  • Seamless launch of small satellites.
  • The launch of small satellites has until now been dependent on ‘piggy-back’ rides with big satellite launches on ISRO’s PSLV.
  • The SSLV is intended to cater to a market for the launch of small satellites into low earth orbits with a quick turnaround time.
  • Suited for launching multiple microsatellites & supports multiple orbital drop-offs.
  • Shift the burden of commercial launches from PSLV
  • The SSLV is likely to cost a fourth of the current PSLV.