The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is gearing up for the maiden flight of its mini rocket launcher – the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in May.
The National Space Agency on Monday announced that it has successfully conducted the ground test of the newly developed Solid Booster Stage (SS1) for SSLV at the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.
The remaining stages of SSLV, including SS2 and SS3, have already successfully undergone the required ground trials and are ready for integration. The solid booster stages basically provide initial thrust to the spacecraft as it lifts off the ground and begins its first ascent.
“The ground test conducted at 12 noon has given enough confidence to proceed with the first developmental flight of SSLV (SSLV-D1) in May,” the agency said. The agency, which is planning to get the SSLV off the ground from 2019.
Designed to strengthen the agency’s partnership with the private sector for the launch of commercial satellites, the development flight of SSLV has been delayed following the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit the groundwork.
According to ISRO, the propulsion parameters during the test conducted on Monday were found to be satisfactory and matching closely with the predictions. The agency used the latest new technologies and innovative processes which were successfully validated in the ground test.
The indigenously developed mini-rocket-launcher is specially designed to carry small commercial satellites into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) less than 200-2,000 km from the Earth’s surface. Its payload capacity is up to 500 kg.
Most of ISRO’s commercial launches, including international satellites, were earlier carried out using its workspace Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The need for a separate launch vehicle was felt for a long time to meet the growing demand from the private sector. The Department of Space had set up a separate commercial arm – New Space India Limited (NSIL) to manage commercial tie-ups with the global space market and technology transfer from ISRO to industries.
Private companies also want quick turnaround times for launching multiple satellites – a feature that is best suited for SSLVs apart from being cost-effective. According to ISRO scientists, it has been developed with one-fourth of the total cost of PSLV, and can be assembled in a matter of days.
The government had approved a total of Rs 169 crore for the development project of SSLV, which includes the qualification and flight demonstration of vehicle systems, through three development flights (SSLV-D1, SSLV-D2 and SSLV-D3). will be done from Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh had earlier told the Rajya Sabha.
“The development of SSLV is envisaged to bring in a cost-effective launch vehicle with high launch frequency and quick turnaround capability to meet the growing opportunities in the global launch services market primarily for small satellites,” he said.
Basic hardware and structures for the SSLV development project, including solid motor cases, nozzle sub-systems, mandrels for casting solid motors, inter-stage structures, actuator motors and fixtures, will also be provided through private industry tie-ups. was to be felt. ,
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