Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India, on August 16, successfully orbited two satellites with its new rocket – Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). On its third and final developmental flight, the SSLV-D3 put into orbit an earth observation satellite-08 (EOS-08) weighing about 175.5 kg, and SR-0 satellite belonging to the Chennai-based start-up Space Rickshaw.
Speaking about the mission, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Dr S. Somanath said: “The third development flight of SSLV has been successfully accomplished. We can declare the process of SSLV development has been completed. We are in the process of transferring the SSLV technology to the industries.”
Somanath also said the satellites have been placed in the orbit planned and there is no deviation. “The satellite’s (EOS-08) solar panels have been deployed,” Somanath added.
According to SS Vinod, Mission Director, a major milestone in SSLV has been achieved. “The spacecraft (EOS-08) is unique with new technologies. There are 20 new technologies and three new payloads in the satellite,” M. Avinash, Satellite Director said.
ISRO has developed SSLV with a carrying capacity of 500 kg to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) based on the market trend of going in for smaller satellites. At about 9.17 a.m. the 34-metre tall and about 119-ton expendable rocket costing about Rs 56 crore broke free of the first launch pad and started its one-way journey upwards. The rocket with a thick orange flame at its tail slowly gathered speed and went up.
As to the mission’s objectives, ISRO said that it will complete the SSLV Development Project and enable operational missions by Indian industry and the public sector NewSpace India Ltd.
