Sriharikota: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has launched the country’s new rocket on August 7, 2022. The launch was successfully carried out from the launch pad 1 of the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. EOS02 and AzaadiSAT satellites have been launched in a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). The rocket functioned properly and both satellites were brought into their designated orbits but during this period the rocket suddenly exploded. After this the satellite data was stopped. ISRO chief S. Somnath said that the ISRO Mission Control Center is continuously trying to get the data link. We will inform the country as soon as the link is established. EOS02 is an Earth observation satellite. Which will work in space for 10 months. Its weight is 142 kg. It has medium and long wavelength infrared cameras. Which has a resolution of 6 meters. That means it can monitor even at night.
PSLV stands for Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is a 44 meter long and 2.8 meter diameter rocket. While the length of SSLV is 34 meters. Its diameter is 2 meters. PSLV has four phases. Whereas SSLV has only three phases. PSLV weighs 320 tonnes, while SSLV weighs 120 tonnes. The PSLV can carry a payload of 1750 kg for a distance of 600 km. The SSLV can carry a payload of 10 to 500 kg for a distance of 500 km. PSLV will be ready in 60 days. SSLV is prepared in just 72 hours.
SSLV is known as Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). That means now this rocket will be used to launch small satellites. It is a small lift launch vehicle. This will send up to 500 kg satellites into low orbit i.e. below 500 km or 300 kg satellites into sun synchronous orbit in low earth orbit. Altitudes of sub-synchronous orbits are above 500 km.
Currently SSLV will be launched from Launch Pad 1 of Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. But after some time, a separate Small Satellite Launch Complex (SSLC) will be built here to launch this rocket. After this, a new space port is being built at Kulasekharapatnam in Tamil Nadu. Then SSLV will be launched from there. The length of the new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSV) is 34 meters i.e. 112 feet. Its diameter is 6.7 feet. Total weight is 120 tons. It is much smaller in size than the PSLV rocket. It has four stages. Its three stages will run on solid fuel. Instead, the fourth stage will be powered by liquid fuel. The first phase will be 94.3 seconds, the second phase will be 113.1 seconds and the third phase will be 106.9 seconds.
Why is SSLV rocket needed?
A small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) was needed because small satellites had to wait for launch. They had to assemble a spacebus with large satellites and send it. Internationally, small satellites are coming in large numbers. Their launch market is growing. That is why ISRO has prepared to make this rocket. How much will one launch of SSLV (Cost of SSLV per unit) One unit of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) rocket will cost Rs 30 crore. While 130 to 200 crore rupees come on PSLV. That is, the PSLV went as far as a rocket. Now four to five SSLV rockets can be launched at that cost. More international satellites can be launched into space.