ISRO launched Small Satellite Launch Vehicle SSLVD2 carrying EOS-07 and 2 co-passenger satellites Janus-1 and AzaadiSAT-2 into a circular orbit of 450 km from Sriharikota Satish Dhawan Space Center in Andhra Pradesh.
What is SSLV?
The SSLV is a small-lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO with a payload capacity of 500 kg to low Earth orbit (500 km (310 mi)) or 300 kg to the Sun. SSLV is designed keeping in mind low cost, short turnaround time with launch-on-demand flexibility under minimum infrastructure requirements. It provides the facility of satellite launch at economical cost on the basis of rocket on demand. The 34 meter tall SSLV rocket has a diameter of 2 meters and weighs 120 tonnes.
The total weight of SSLV-D2 is 175.2 kg, which includes Eos satellite weighing 156.3 kg, Janus-1 weighing 10.2 kg and Azadisat-2 weighing 8.7 kg. According to ISRO, the cost of SSLV rocket is around Rs 56 crore.
The first flight SSLV-D1 was conducted from the First Launch Pad on 7 August 2022, but failed to orbit. The second flight on 10 February 2023 successfully delivered the payload into orbit.
- Demonstration of the designed payload capability of SSLV in Low Earth Orbit.
- To place EOS-07 satellites and two passenger satellites Janus-1 and Azadisat-2 into a circular orbit of 450 km.