Amaravati: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday launched the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan space centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The SSLV-D2 has put the three satellites – ISRO’s EOS-07, US-based firm Antaris’ Janus-1, and Chennai-based space startup SpaceKidz’s AzaadiSAT-2 – into a 450 km circular orbit during its 15-minute flight, the ISRO said.
“Congratulations to all 3 satellite teams for making the satellites as well as placing them in right orbit. We analysed the problems faced in SSLV-D1, identified corrective actions &implemented them at a very fast pace to ensure the vehicle becomes successful this time,” said ISRO chief.
The SSLV caters to the launch of up to 500 kg satellites to low earth orbits on ‘launch-on-demand’ basis. It provides low-cost access to space, offers low turn-around time and flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, and demands minimal launch infrastructure, said ISRO.
It is configured with three solid propulsion stages and a velocity terminal module. It is a 34 m tall, 2 m diameter vehicle having a lift-off mass of 120 tonnes.
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