On Friday at 9.18am, the second iteration of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D2) will be launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center’s first launch pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. During its 15-minute mission, the new rocket will attempt to launch three satellites into a 450 km circular orbit: the ISRO’s EOS-07, the US company Antaris’ Janus-1, and Chennai’s SpaceKidz’s AzaadiSAT-2.
According to ISRO, the SSLV can ‘launch-on-demand’ satellites weighing up to 500 kg into low Earth orbits. The rocket offers low-cost access to orbit, has a quick turnaround, is adaptable to carrying several satellites, and requires little in the way of launch infrastructure.
The SSLV is a 34 m tall, 2 m in diameter, 120 tonnes lift-off vehicle.
Three solid propulsion stages and a velocity terminal module make up the rocket’s configuration.
The launch of the SSLV-D2/EOS-07 mission is planned for February 10, 2023, at 09:18 hours IST from Sriharikota, the ISRO tweeted on February 8. 450 km circular orbit with the EOS-07, Janus-1, and AzaadiSAT-2 satellites. Vehicle is prepared for launch and is conducting final phase checks.
On August 9 of last year, the SSLV’s first test flight ended in partial failure after the launch vehicle’s upper stage put the satellite into an unstable, extremely elliptical orbit as a result of a velocity deficiency. According to ISRO, the study into the incident also showed that there was a brief vibration disturbance on the Equipment Bay (EB) deck during the second stage separation.
