Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) successfully test fired
Recently ISRO has successfully conducted the terrestrial test of the solid booster stage for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
This test was done at Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh).
This successful test of the solid booster stage has given confidence to begin the first developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D1).
ISRO usually declares a launch vehicle as ready for launch after two successful developmental flights.
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV):
- Solid boosters have been used in all its three stages. It can place a 500 kg satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 500 km.
- It aims to meet the growing market demand for small satellites to be installed in LEO.
- It is the smallest launch vehicle of ISRO with a mass of 110 ton.
Advantages of SSLV:
- It has a short turnaround time, meaning it takes only 72 hours to assemble (integrate), while it still takes 70 days to assemble other vehicles.
- It is a cost-effective vehicle. Its cost will be around Rs 30 crore only.
- It requires less infrastructure and fewer people. It can be assembled within seven days by a team of six experts.
- Unlike PSLV and GSLV, SSLV can be assembled both vertically and horizontally.
- It is suitable for launching satellites like nano, micro and small satellites.
- New Space India Limited is a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Space. It is the only nodal agency responsible for providing end-to-end services related to SSLV launch for the satellites of the customers.
- These services include services related to contractual, technical, programmatic, pre-launch, during-launch and post-launch activities.
Source – The Hindu
