Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
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Content
Introduction
- The Indian SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) is a small launch vehicle which will serve small satellite launches.
- It is the smallest vehicle at 110-ton mass at ISRO.
- Low turnaround time: It will take only 72 hours to assemble (unlike around 70 days needed for PSLV).
- Low Human Resource requirement: Only 6 people will be required to do assembly (unlike 60 people for the PSLV).
- Cost Effective: The overall cost of building the SSLV will only be Rs 30 crores.
- Capability: Payload capacity of 500 Kg to 500 km planar orbit or 300 kg to SSPO. Using PSLV for these small satellites was an overkill.
- It uses three solid fuel-based stages and a liquid fuel-based velocity trimming module (VTM) to place the satellite in orbit.
- It is ideal for on-demand, quick turn-around launch of small satellites.
- Major technologies developed as part of SSLV are flexible nozzle control with electro-mechanical actuators for all stages, miniaturized avionics, and a velocity trimming module in the upper stage for precise satellite injections.
Need of SSLV
- The global demand for launch of small satellite is increasing. It is being demanded by businesses, government agencies, universities, and various research labs.
First Developmental Flight
- The maiden flight of SSLV in Aug 2022 can be considered a partial success.
- The three solid fuel-based propulsion stages functioned normally.
- However, when it came to the stage when the satellite had to be set in orbit, there was a glitch which resulted in the satellite being lost forever. ISRO announced that there was a malfunction of a sensor which resulted in placing the satellites in an elliptical orbit, rather than a circular orbit.
- 2nd Developmental Flight: SSLV-D2/ EOS-07 Mission (Feb 2023)
- The 2nd developmental flight of SSLV-D2 was successfully launched on Feb 10, 2023.
- It intended to inject EOS-07, Janus-1 and AzaadiSAT-2 satellite into 450 km circular orbit, in its 15 minutes flight.
Conclusion:
The success of SSLV in its second developmental flight shows that ISRO is ready to provide satellite launch services with faster turnaround time.
Example Question:
Why did India need to develop an SSLV when ISRO already has a very successful PSLV and a very powerful GSLV [10 marks, 150 words]