India gets one more rocket, SSLV-D2 orbits 3 satellites successfully

SRIHARIKOTA: India on Friday got one more rocket to launch satellites. SSLV-D2 successfully orbited three satellites with its new rocket — Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

On its second developmental flight the SSLV-D2 put into orbit an earth observation satellite-07 (EOS-07) weighing about 156.3 kg and two others - 10.2 kg, Janus-1 belonging to ANTARIS of the US and 8.7 kg AzaadiSat-2 belonging to Space Kidz India, Chennai.

Speaking after the successful launch S. Somanath, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation said the country has one more rocket to launch satellites. In 2023, ISRO will launch a navigation satellite with its GSLV rocket. "The SSLV-D2 rocket has launched the three satellites successfully. The orbit achieved was good. "All the rocket systems worked well," said the Chairman.

Recalling the failed maiden SSLV-D1 mission last year, Somanath said: "We had a narrow miss. We have implemented corrective measures."

S.Vinod, Mission Director said India has a new satellite launch vehicle. "It all started in 2018 and the rocket has reached the intended destination today (Friday)."

He said last year's SSLV-D1 mission had a small problem. Detailed analysis was carried out and corrective actions were taken.

"In the shortest period we came out with a new satellite separation system and guidance system," Vinod added.

Looking forward, Somanath said the space agency is gearing up for a commercial satellite launch with its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) by the end of March. Somanath also said, ISRO will launch 36-satellites of the UK based OneWeb.

According to him, the landing experiment for ISRO's reusable launch vehicle will be carried out and the year end will see the launch of NISAR satellite, a joint project of India and the US.

India's newest rocket, the 34-metre tall and weighing 120 ton SSLV-D2 flew upwards first launch pad at the Sriharikota rocket port.

The rocket's total carrying capacity was 500 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). But the SSLV-D2 had a total payload of 175.2 kg. (ANI)

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