On Friday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) brought to fruition its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) program, the third developmental flight lifted off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Known as the SSLV-D3/EOS-08 mission, SSLV is ready for its operational role to bolster ISRO’s plan of establishing cheap and efficient access to space for the small satellites category.
As the satellites were successfully injected into orbit, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath clarified that the developmental stage of the SSLV had been accomplished. He said that the rocket performed superbly and precisely put the spacecraft in the desired orbit, and the injection conditions were perfect. ‘The final orbit will be ascertained after tracking the object but going by the telemetry data, it appears perfect. ’ EOS-08, along with the SR-08 satellite, has been successfully placed in orbit after some required orbital maneuvers, Somanath said.
The un-crewed SSLV, capable of launching payloads of up to 500 kilograms to LEO, is fully operational and can accept future missions. It is one of the two small-lift launch vehicles that have a big revolutionary impact on the ISRO to address the increasing market need for small satellites with low-cost and versatile reusable launch vehicle solutions acceptable to Indian and overseas customers.
Officially declaring the development of SSLV, it will be available in the future for ISRO missions with the help of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a government-run organization that promotes and commercializes space activities in India.
Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, congratulated the ISRO team for the successful SSLV-D3/EOS-08 launching mission. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Well done, Team ISRO for putting into orbit SSLV-D3/EOS-08 Mission.”
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