Isro enters small satellite launch market with its new SSLV
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New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation on Friday successfully launched its ambitious the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), which is touted to earn attention in satellite launch market.
The sixth launch vehicle designed and developed by Isro climbed skies from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota for a 15-minute flight to Low Earth Orbit.
This was the second launch of Isro's vehicle after the maiden demonstration mission ended up in failure.
"We have a new launch vehicle. SSLV, in its second attempt, has placed the satellites in orbit very accurately. Congratulations to all three satellite teams. SSLV had its maiden flight and we had a narrow miss due to a shortfall in velocity. We have analysed the problem, identified the corrective action, and qualified the system at a very fast pace," Isro chief S Somnath reportedly said.
On its second demonstration mission to Low Earth Orbit, SSLV carried three payloads weighing over 350 kilograms.
They include the Earth Observation Satellite-07 (EOS-7) alongside rideshare payload Janus-1 and AzaadiSAT-2.
The three stages of SSLV worked out as expected by Isro India Today reported, adding that all eyes were on the liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module used as a terminal stage.
The key features of SSLV, according to Isro, are low cost, capability of carrying multiple satellites, launch-on-demand feasibility, and minimal requirement of launch infrastructure, among others.
The successful launch will help India cater to the multi-million dollar small satellite launch market.
The SSLV can help other countries to launch small satellites up to 500 kilometers above Earth.