Marking another key achievement in India’s space program, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) on Friday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The satellite is configured for operation in a circular low-earth orbit at a height of 475 km. However, the launch was rescheduled from August 15th to August 16th because it coincided with Independence Day. While praising the successful launch ISRO’s chairman Dr. S. Somnath gave a confirmation that there were no deviations in the injection conditions and added that this achievement marks a significant milestone in India’s space capabilities.
#WATCH | ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) to launch the third and final developmental flight of SSLV-D3-EOS8 mission, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh this morning.
Visuals from the Space Centre. pic.twitter.com/NtFMY3GciH
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2024
The successful launch marks SSLV’s third and final test flight, ending its development phase and setting the stage for operational missions like Gaganyaan, the nation’s first manned spaceflight by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and Indian industry. The SSLV-D3 mission is a major achievement for India, showcasing the country’s growing prowess in meeting the increasing demand for small satellite launches. With the successful launch of SSLV, the ISRO aims to improve India’s position in the global space market by offering cost-effective and reliable launch vehicles.
Notably, ISRO’s smallest rocket carried the Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) to showcase its deployment capabilities in space. With a weight of 175.5 kg and an advanced Electro Optic Infrared Payload (EOIR), it is capable of capturing images in the mid-wave and long-wave infrared bands for several applications, such as satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, and environmental monitoring.
As if to talk about the advantages of SSLV, with the capability of being assembled within just 72 hours, it offers a cost-effective and flexible solution required for ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
This reflects India’s impressive strategy to enhance collaboration between the space sector and private industries, positioning the country to attract more international clients and increase its market share in space launch services.
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