ISRO successfully launches SSLV to deploy 3 satellites into orbit

The Indian Space Research Organization on Friday launched its new offering, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), on a second low-Earth orbit demonstration mission. It was developed to carry the payload of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and cater to the small satellite market.

SSLV, the sixth launch vehicle designed and developed by Isro, took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota for a 15-minute flight into low Earth orbit with three payloads weighing over 350 kilograms. The primary payload of the mission was the Earth Observation Satellite-07 (EOS-7). The launch vehicle also carried a shared payload of Janus-1 and AzaadiSAT-2. AzaadiSAT aims to measure various health data, such as temperature and number of resets, from 75 student experiments installed inside the satellite. The satellite will play the NCC Song as a tribute to the National Cadet Corps to mark its 75th anniversary.

The three SSLV stages performed nominally as expected by Isro. However, all eyes were on the liquid drive based speed trim module that was used as the final stage. After three stages of separation from the rocket, the VTM ignited to provide the required circular orbit of 450 kilometers for the satellite deployment. The three satellites were then deployed to the desired orbit after VTM orbital corrections.

This was the second launch of Isro's shiny new launch vehicle after the first demonstration mission ended in failure. The SSLV D1 mission launched in August last year failed to place the satellites in orbit, rendering them unusable. "We have a new launch vehicle. SSLV placed the satellites into orbit very accurately on the second attempt. Congratulations to all three satellite teams. SSLV had its maiden flight and we narrowly missed due to lack of speed. We analyzed the problem, identified corrective measures and qualified the system with a very fast pace,” Isro chief S Somnath said after the launch.

Isro said the key features of SSLV are low cost, faster turnaround time, flexibility to receive multiple satellites, feasibility of on-demand launch and minimal launch infrastructure requirements. The successful mission marks India's long-awaited arrival to secure the multi-million dollar small satellite launch market. SSLVs can be used by customers around the world to launch small satellites up to 500 kilometers above Earth.