Indian solid SSLV rocket launches Earth observation satellite

 
INA-sources
 
India successfully launched its third SSLV Thursday, placing an Earth observation satellite into orbit and completing the solid rocket’s development process.

The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) lifted off at 11:47 p.m. Eastern, Aug. 15 (0347 UTC Aug. 16) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

The rocket carried the experimental Earth observation EOS-08 spacecraft into its intended 475-kilometer circular orbit inclined by 37 degrees for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). EOS-08 separated from the upper stage 816 seconds into flight.

The 34-meter-long SSLV consists of three solid stages and a liquid propulsion Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) upper stage.

“The third development flight of SSLV, SSLV-D3 with the EOS-08 satellite, has been successfully accomplished,” ISRO chairman S. Somanath said in a live streamed post-launch address. “The rocket has placed the spacecraft into a very precise orbit as planned.” 

“Congratulations to the SSLV-D3 team… With this third development flight of SSLV we can declare the development process of SSLV completed.”

According to Somanath, the successful completion of the SSLV’s development phase paves the way for technology transfer to Indian industry, enabling serial production and operational deployment of the SSLV.

The SSLV is designed for low cost, quick turn-around time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites and minimal launch infrastructure requirements, according to ISRO.

The first SSLV flight failed in August 2022 when an upper stage malfunction left its payloads stranded in a very low orbit. The second launch, in February 2023, was successful.

Source: Space News