SSLV-D2

Question 1

NEWS

Answer 1

In its second attempt, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s smallest vehicle, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D2), was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The vehicle’s first development flight (SSLV D1) that took place in August 2022 failed to place the satellites in precise orbit.
This time structural changes have been made to the equipment bay, along with changes in the separation mechanism for stage 2, and logic changes for the on-board system.

Question 2

NOTE

Answer 2

A new vehicle is declared operational by ISRO after it completes two successful development flights.
The last vehicle to be declared operational was the GSLV Mk III, now called LVM 3, when it carried Chandrayaan-2 in 2019.

Question 3

What’s Onboard in SSLV-D2?

Answer 3

SSLV-D2 will place the ISRO’s earth observation satellite EOS-07 and two co-passenger satellites - Janus-1 and AzaadiSat2.
Janus-1:
It is a technology demonstrator satellite built by US-based Antaris and its Indian partners XDLinks and Ananth Technologies.
It is a six-unit cube satellite with five payloads on board — two from Singapore, and one each from Kenya, Australia, and Indonesia.
AzaadiSat2:
It is a Cubesat weighing around 8 kg and carries 75 different payloads.
Girl students from rural regions across the country were provided guidance to build these payloads.
The payloads are integrated by the student team of “Space Kidz India”.
EOS-07:
EOS-07 is a 156.3 kg satellite designed and developed by ISRO.
Its mission objective is to design and develop payload instruments compatible with microsatellite buses and new technologies for future operational satellites.

Question 4

What is a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle?

Answer 4

SSLV is a 3 stage Launch Vehicle configured with three Solid Propulsion Stages and Liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal.
It is 2 m in diameter and 34m in length with a lift off weight of 120 tonnes and is capable of launching a 10 to 500 kg satellite in 500 km planar orbit.
The rocket can be assembled by a small team in only a few days, compared to the 6 months and around 600 people it takes for ISRO’s workhorse PSLV.
Objective:
It has been developed to capture the emerging small (nano-micro-mini) satellite commercial market, with launches offered on demand.
Significance:
It provides low-cost access to Space, offers low turn-around time, facilitates flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites and demands minimal launch infrastructure.