Small Satellite Launch Vehicle Successfully Launches Three Satellites into Orbit

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has once again demonstrated its expertise in space technology with the successful launch of three satellites into their intended orbits by the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). In its second developmental flight, the SSLV-D2 vehicle placed EOS-07, Janus-1, and AzaadiSAT-2 satellites into a 450 km circular orbit with an inclination of 37 degrees.

The SSLV is a new small satellite launch vehicle designed by ISRO to cater to the launch of small satellites up to 500 kg to Low Earth Orbits on a "launch-on-demand" basis. The vehicle is equipped with three solid stages weighing 87 t, 7.7 t, and 4.5 t respectively, and is 34 m tall with a diameter of 2 m, with a lift-off mass of 120 t. A liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) ensures the desired velocity for the insertion of the satellites into the intended orbit.

In its first developmental flight on August 7, 2022, SSLV-D1 slightly missed placing the satellites, but SSLV-D2 was able to implement the recommendations made by the expert committee that analyzed the shortcomings of SSLV-D1 flight. The SSLV-D2 carried EOS-07, a 153.6 kg Earth Observation Satellite by ISRO, Janus-1, a 10.2 kg technology demonstration satellite belonging to ANTARIS, USA, and AzaadiSAT-2, an 8.8 kg satellite by Space Kidz India, which integrated various scientific payloads developed by 750 girl students across India.

The successful launch of the SSLV today has provided India with a new launch vehicle aimed at commercializing small satellite launches through industry on a demand basis. ISRO is now poised to cater to the growing global demand for launching smaller satellites into space.