ISRO launches new rocket SSLV-D2

Category
Science & Technology
Published
16th Feb, 2023

Context

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the second edition of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D2) from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan space centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

About

Key-highlights of the launch

It placed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) earth observation satellite EOS-07 and two co-passenger satellites — Janus-1 and AzaadiSat2 — developed by start-ups, in a 450-km circular orbit around the Earth.
The objectives of the SSLV-D2 mission are the demonstration of a designed payload capacity of SSLV in low-Earth orbit, and the injection of an Earth Observation Satellite and two passenger satellites into a 450.7-kilometre circular orbit.

EOS-07

EOS-07 is 156.3 kg satellite designed, developed and realized by ISRO.
EOS-07’s primary mission objective would be to gather data for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications, such as cartography, regulation of use of coastal land, urban and rural management, and many more.

Janus-1

Janus-1 is a technology demonstrator satellite built by United States-based Antaris and its Indian partners XDLinks and Ananth Technologies.
It is a standardised satellite bus on which multiple payloads can be attached just like lego blocks. This will enable companies to quickly and cheaply launch their payloads.
A satellite bus is the main structure of a satellite on which the payloads — which can be used for multiple applications such as earth observation, signal monitoring, or ship tracking — rest.

AzaadiSat2

The payloads have been built by 750 girl students from across India. A similar satellite by SpaceKidzIndia was launched aboard SSLV-D1 in August last year.

The payloads remain the same — LoRa amateur radio, a sensor to measure radiation levels in space, and sensors to measure the health of the satellite such as temperature, reset count, and inertial data — but this second satellite has an additional feature.

SpaceKidzIndia — which aims to promote space awareness among children — has made the satellite expandable: the 8-unit satellite will have a spring mechanism-based external frame, which will open up once the satellite is in orbit.

After the frame opens up, the satellite will become four times its size.

About SSLV

SSLV is a three-stage launch vehicle configured with three solid propulsion stages and a terminal stage.
- A solid propulsion rocket stage uses solid propellants as the fuel.
- The terminal stage is a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM).
The key features of SSLV are
- low cost, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites
- 'launch on demand' feasibility
- low turnaround time (the time taken to complete a process)
- minimal launch infrastructure requirements
- increased production rate from industries
Also, SSLV has the minimum launch pad occupancy, which means that integration of the vehicle and subsequent launch can be completed within 24 hours.
SSLV has multiple satellite mounting options for nanosatellites, micro satellites, and mini satellites. The launch vehicle can carry a single satellite weighing up to 500 kilograms to a 500-kilometre planar orbit.