- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the second developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) on February 10, 2023, at 9:18 am IST. SSLV is ISRO’s smallest launch vehicle.
- The mission, called SSLV-D2, or EOS-07, was launched from the First Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
- The maiden mission of SSLV, which was launched on August 7, 2022, had failed to place its payloads into the intended orbit.
- SSLV-D1, the first developmental flight of SSLV, was supposed to place two satellites into a 356-kilometer circular orbit.
- However, the satellites were instead placed into a 356 km × 76 km elliptical orbit. ISRO said that the issue was reasonably identified and that the “failure of a logic to identify a sensor failure and go for a salvage action caused the deviation”.
- This rocket can launch up to 500 kg in low earth orbits at a low cost. SSLV D-2 is a 34-meter long, 2-meter diameter, and 120-tonne launch vehicle. The rocket also has 3 solid propulsion stages, and a velocity terminal module. The first test flight of SSLV, which took place on August 9 last year, was a partial failure.
“Small Satellite Launch Vehicle” SSLV-D2 launched by ISRO
