ISRO’s new rocket SSLV-D1 launched from Sriharikota Space Center
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Sunday launched the country’s new rocket at 9:18 am. The launch was successfully carried out from Launch Pad 1 of the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOAS 02 (EOS02) and Azadi SAT (AzaadiSAT) satellites are being carried in the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSV). EOS02 is an Earth observation satellite. Which will work in space for 10 months. Its weight is 142 kg. It has a mid and long wavelength infrared camera. Whose resolution is 6 meters. That is, it can monitor even at night. Apart from this, Azadsat, a student satellite of the space agency named SpaceKidz India, was launched.
#WATCH ISRO launches SSLV-D1 carrying an Earth Observation Satellite & a student-made satellite-AzaadiSAT from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2022
(Source: ISRO) pic.twitter.com/A0Yg7LuJvs
750 girls from 75 schools built AzadiSAT
The cost of this launch vehicle is only 56 crores. Azadsat satellite will be launched from SSLV. To commemorate the completion of 75 years of independence, 750 girl students from 75 schools of the country have built AzadiSAT. The weight of this satellite is eight kilograms. It has solar panels, selfie cameras. Along with this, long distance communication transponders have also been installed. This satellite will provide services for six months. According to Space Kidz India, who developed this satellite, 10-10 students from 75 government schools across the country have been selected to develop the satellite. These include girls from class VIII to XII. It is the first of its kind space mission to promote women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
What is SSLV
The full form of SSLV is Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). That is, now this rocket will be used for launching small satellites. It is a small-lift launch vehicle. Through this, satellites of up to 500 kg in the low orbit of the Earth will be sent to the lower orbit i.e. below 500 km or satellites of 300 kg will be sent to the Sun Synchronous Orbit. The altitude of sub-synchronous orbit is above 500 km.
India’s new launch vehicle Small Satellite is going to be cheap and ready in less time. The 34 meter high SSLV is 2 meters in diameter, the 2.8 meter diameter PSLV is 10 meters higher than this. SSLV is a 4 stage rocket, the first 3 stage will use solid fuel. The fourth stage is the Liquid Propulsion based Velocity Trimming Module which will help the satellites on their orbit path.
Why the need for SSLV rockets arose?
SSLV was needed because small satellites had to wait for launch. They had to assemble and send a spacebus with large satellites. Small satellites are coming in large numbers internationally. The market for their launch is increasing. That’s why ISRO made preparations to make this rocket.
