Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Dec.16: The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) being constructed by the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) is nearing completion, with its first launch scheduled for the first quarter of 2022. Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister for Science and Technology, provided the information in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The SSLV will be able to deliver 500 kilogrammes of cargo to a 500-kilometer planar orbit. In comparison, ISRO’s workhorse, the PSLV, can carry a payload of up to 1,750 kilogrammes into SSO at 600 kilometres altitude.
The government has approved Rs. 169 crores for the project’s development. This will include vehicle system development and qualification, as well as flying demonstrations on three development flights (SSLV-D1, SSLV-D2 & SSLV-D3).
Private industries will provide the hardware and structures for the SSLV development project, including solid motor casings, nozzle sub-systems, mandrels for solid motor casting, inter-stage structures, actuator motors, and fixtures.
“The development of SSLV has been primarily envisaged to build a cost-effective launch vehicle with high launch frequency and quick turnaround capability in order to cater to the growing opportunity in the global launch services market for small satellites,” the Ministry of Science & Technology said in a statement.
Isro has signed six agreements with four countries to launch satellites in 2021-2023, producing 132 million euros in income. The space agency’s commercial branch, New Space India Limited (NSIL), will launch these satellites on a commercial basis onboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
“Through launching foreign satellites on-board an Indian launch vehicle, India has earned a foreign exchange revenue of nearly $35 million and 10 million euros in the last three years,” the minister said in his written reply.
He went on to say that the types of foreign satellites launched by ISRO are largely for earth observation, scientific research, and technology demonstration. Since 1999, Isro has launched 342 foreign satellites from 34 different countries.
