India’s SSLV Successfully Launches Two Satellites In Third Developmental Flight

India achieved a significant milestone today as it successfully launched two satellites using its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) on its third and final developmental flight.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi further appreciated the efforts of the team making the launch of satellites successful . He mentioned on his X handle ” A remarkable milestone! Congratulations to our scientists and industry for this feat. It is a matter of immense joy that India now has a new launch vehicle. The cost-effective SSLV will play an important role in space missions and will also encourage private industry. My best wishes to the entire space industry.”

The SSLV-D3, a 34-meter-tall expendable rocket, carried the Earth Observation Satellite-08 (EOS-08) and the SR-0 satellite from Chennai-based start-up Space Rickshaw into orbit. EOS-08, weighing approximately 175.5 kg, and the SR-0 were successfully deployed following the rocket’s launch at 9:17 a.m. from the first launch pad.

Dr. S. Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), confirmed the success of the mission. “The third developmental flight of SSLV design successfully. We can now declare that the SSLV development process is complete and we are moving forward with transferring the technology to industry,” he said.

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Somanath further mark that the satellites place in their intend orbits with no deviations, and EOS-08’s solar panels successfully deployed.

Mission Director S. S. Vinod highlighted the achievement, stating that the mission marked a major milestone for the SSLV program. M. Avinash, Satellite Director, added that EOS-08 features 20 new technologies and three innovative payloads.

 

Developed to accommodate up to 500 kg of payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the SSLV responds to the increasing market demand for smaller satellites. The rocket, which cost around Rs 56 crore, began its ascent with a thick orange flame and gradually picked up speed.

Space Rickshaw

ISRO plans to use the SSLV for operational missions in partnership with Indian industry and NewSpace India Ltd., a public sector entity. Approximately 13 minutes into the flight, at an altitude of 475 km, EOS-08 was ejected, followed by the SR-0 three minutes later. For Space Rickshaw, the SR-0 represents its first satellite launch, with plans to develop six more satellites commercially, according to co-founder Srimathy Kesan.

The EOS-08 mission aims to advance satellite technology by incorporating new design and payloads, including the Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), and the SiC UV Dosimeter. These components will further facilitate a range of applications from environmental monitoring to space mission support.

Moreover, ISRO’s SSLV series includes the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and SSLV, each varying in cost and capabilities. The SSLV’s development cost has been around Rs 56 crore per rocket, with potential for cost reduction in future production.

The SSLV’s maiden flight, SSLV-D1, on August 7, 2022, was unsuccessful due to incorrect satellite orbits caused by onboard sensor issues. The second developmental flight, SSLV-D2, on February 10, 2023, successfully launched EOS-07 along with two smaller satellites.

However, with today’s successful launch, ISRO’s SSLV program demonstrates its capability for reliable and cost-effective satellite deployment.