In news –Recently, ISRO chairman has mentioned the launch of indigenous new launch rockets, called the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D1 Micro SAT in April 2022.
About SSLV programme-
- The SSLV is intended to cater to a market for the launch of small satellites into low earth orbits.
- Need for the SSLV emerged as the launch of small satellites has until now been dependent on ‘piggy-back’ rides with big satellite launches on ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.(PSLV)
- SSLV can carry satellites weighing up to 500 kg to a low earth orbit while the tried and tested PSLV can launch satellites weighing in the range of 1000 kg.
- It is perfectly suited for launching multiple microsatellites at a time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs.
- SSLV is a three-stage all solid vehicle, which will have the option of multiple satellite mounting options for nano, micro and small satellites.
- The SSLV is the smallest vehicle at 110-ton mass at ISRO.
- It will take only 72 hours to integrate, unlike the 70 days taken now for a launch vehicle. Only six people will be required to do the job, instead of 60 people.
- The entire job will be done in a very short time and the cost will be only around Rs 30 crore.
- It will be an on-demand vehicle.
- The SSLV received a commercial booking in 2019 itself from the US space launch services intermediary Spaceflight Inc.
- The launch of the maiden flight of the SSLV was scheduled for July 2019 but has been delayed due to setbacks from the Covid 19 crisis and other issues.
- The government has sanctioned Rs 169 crores for the development of the project, which covers the development & qualification of the vehicle systems and the flight demonstration through three development flights (SSLV-D1, SSLV-D2 & SSLV-D3).
Source: The Indian Express
