The Indian Space Research Organization is working to launch its new rocket, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, before the end of the year. Regarded by the Indian space agency as a convenient little satellite launcher that can be assembled in a week, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) has been a long time coming. A 34-meter three-stage rocket powered entirely by solid fuel, the SSLV has been in the making for two and a half years, from drawing board to launch pad. The SSLV is capable of launching multiple satellites in different orbits.
The SSLV can carry a payload of 500 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and a payload of 300 kg to Solar Synchronous Orbit (SSO). It is expected to fly two test launches from ISRO’s second launch pad in Sriharikota.
On the first flight, it will carry a military payload, Mircrosat-2A, to showcase its on-demand launch capability. The 142 kg satellite is expected to meet the increasing demands of users for mapping applications, urban and rural management, coastal land use and regulation, utility mapping, development and various other geographic information systems (GIS) applications.
On the second flight, it is likely to carry a commercial payload for BlackSky Global.
A model of ISRO’s SSLV rocket. Image: Maxima Vigilantia
The SSLV is currently being assembled in Sriharikota, and its many systems come from various ISRO centers, according to an IANS report.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) has already published SSLV advertising brochures to search for potential clients in December 2019.
The development cost of the rocket is around INR 120 crore, and so far only the third stage of the PSLV rocket has been adapted to suit the new rocket. The cost of launching a satellite (with respect to per kg) will be similar to that of the PSLV.
Prior to the SSLV launch, in November the PSLV-C49 can also be seen taking off around ten satellites into orbit, including India’s RISAT-2BR2. Following the PSLV-C49 flight, the launch pad will be reconfigured to meet the needs of the SSLV rocket.
