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On August 16, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the third developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission, SSLV-D3, successfully placed the Earth observation satellite EOS-08 into orbit.
Completion of SSLV Development Project
The launch also marks the completion of the SSLV Development Project by ISRO and the Department of Space. With this achievement, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, along with India’s private space industry, is now equipped to produce SSLVs for commercial missions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO, noting in a post on X, “The cost-effective SSLV will play an important role in space missions and will also encourage private industry.”
Why SSLVs Were Developed
The SSLVs were developed to address the need for cost-effective, quick-turnaround launch vehicles with minimal infrastructure requirements. Key features include:
- Three-Stage Configuration: The SSLV is configured with three solid propulsion stages and a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) for final adjustments.
- Payload Capacity: Capable of launching satellites weighing up to 500 kg and accommodating multiple satellites.
- Efficiency: The SSLV allows for shorter integration times (72 hours) compared to traditional vehicles, which previously required up to 70 days. Integration involves fewer personnel (six instead of 60) and reduced costs (around Rs 30 crore).
Comparison with Other Launch Vehicles
- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
- Introduction: PSLV is ISRO’s third-generation satellite launch vehicle, first used in 1994.
- Capabilities: Known as “the workhorse of ISRO,” it can carry up to 1,860 kg of payload into low Earth orbit (less than 2,000 km in altitude).
- Success Rate: Over 50 successful PSLV launches to date.
- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)
- Purpose: Primarily used for launching communication satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).
- Capacity:
- GSLV Mk-II: Can carry up to 2,200 kg.
- GSLV Mk-III: Can carry up to 4,000 kg.
- Technology: Uses cryogenic engines with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen for greater thrust needed for deeper space missions.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What was the primary mission of the SSLV-D3 launch on August 16?
- A) To test a new propulsion system
- B) To place the Earth observation satellite EOS-08 into orbit
- C) To transport astronauts to the International Space Station
- D) To launch a communication satellite into geosynchronous orbit
- What significant milestone did the SSLV-D3 mission represent for ISRO?
- A) The first launch of the PSLV
- B) The completion of the SSLV Development Project
- C) The first launch of the GSLV Mk-III
- D) The launch of a commercial satellite by NSIL
- What is one advantage of the SSLV compared to traditional launch vehicles?
- A) It can carry heavier payloads than the PSLV
- B) It requires fewer personnel and shorter integration time
- C) It uses more advanced cryogenic engines
- D) It can only launch satellites into geostationary orbit
- How does the capacity of the GSLV Mk-III compare to that of the GSLV Mk-II?
- A) The Mk-III can carry more payload than the Mk-II
- B) The Mk-II can carry more payload than the Mk-III
- C) They have the same payload capacity
- D) The Mk-III cannot carry any payload