Small Satellite Launch Vehicle

The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (or SSLV) is a small-lift launch vehicle being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with payload capacity to deliver 500 kg to Low Earth orbit (500 km) or 300 kg to Sun synchronous orbit (500 km)[3] for launching small satellites, with the capability to support multiple orbital drop-offs.[4][5][6] On 21 December 2018, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thumba completed the design for the vehicle.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
Artist's impression
FunctionLaunch vehicle
ManufacturerISRO
Country of originIndia
Cost per launch₹30 crore (US$4.2 million) [1]
Size
Height34 m
Diameter2 m
Mass120 t
Stages4[2]
Capacity
Payload to 500x500 km orbit, i=45° [3]500 kg (1,100 lb)
Payload to SSO300 kilograms (660 lb) [3]
Associated rockets
Comparable
Launch history
Statusin development
Launch sitesSDSC SHAR
Total launches0
First flight2020 (planned)
First stage – SS1
MotorS85
Fuelsolid
Second stage – SS2
MotorS7
Fuelsolid
Third stage – SS3
MotorS4
Fuelsolid
Fourth stage – Velocity Trimming Module
Enginesliquid

The maiden flight is expected in 2020,[7] and all flights will launch from a dedicated launch pad in Sriharikota called Small Satellite Launch Complex (SSLC).[8] A new spaceport, under development, near Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu (as of December 2019) will handle SSLV launches when complete.[9]

After entering the operational phase, the vehicle's production and launch operations will be done by a consortium of Indian firms along with New Space India Limited.[10][5][11][12][13][14][15]

Vehicle description

The SSLV was developed with the aim of launching small satellites commercially at drastically reduced price and higher launch rate as compared to PSLV. The manufacturing cost of the SSLV is expected to be ₹30 crore (US$4.2 million) to ₹35 crore (US$4.9 million). [16][11][1]

The projected high launch rate relies on largely autonomous launch operation and on overall simple logistics. To compare, a PSLV launch involves 600 officials while SSLV launch operations would be managed by a small team of about six people. The launch readiness period of the SSLV is expected to be less than a week instead of months.[17][18] The launch vehicle can be assembled both vertically like the existing PSLV and GSLVs and horizontally like the decommissioned SLV and ASLV.[19]

The first three stages of the vehicle use solid propellant, with a fourth stage being a velocity-trimming module.

Vehicle characteristics:[20][21]

  • Height: 34.0 meters
  • Diameter: 2.0 meters
  • Mass: 120 tonnes

Small Satellite Launch Complex (SSLC)

The first developmental flight is expected in April 2020,[22] and flights to inclined orbits will launch from Sriharikota,[8] at first using existing launch pads and later from dedicated facility called Small Satellite Launch Complex (SSLC).[23] Tenders related to manufacturing, installation, assembly, inspection, testing and Self Propelled launching Unit (SPU) were released in October 2019.[24][25][26]

A new spaceport, under development, near Kulasekharapatnam in Tamil Nadu (as of December 2019) will handle SSLV launches to Sun-synchronous orbit when complete.[27][28][29]


Planned launches
Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
Configuration		 Launch site Payload Orbit Customer
2020[22][7]
SSLV
SDSC SHAR
 Microsat-2A (142 kg) [30][31][32] LEO Indian Armed Forces
SSLV-D1; first developmental flight, aiming for 350 km orbit.
TBD[33][10]
SSLV
SDSC SHAR
 Global-7, Global-8, Global-9, Global-10 LEO Spaceflight Industries
SSLV-D2, second developmental flight carrying four 56 kg Blacksky Global satellites to ~500 km circular orbit with 50° inclination.

See also

References
  1. Bureau, Our. "Gaganyaan — India's manned mission to space on target: ISRO chairman Sivan". @businessline. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  2. "ISRO is developing a small rocket to cash in on the small-satellite boom". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  3. "SSLV technical brochure V12" (PDF). 20 December 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  4. Gunter's space page: SSLV
  5. "SSLV". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  6. "Department of Space presentation on 18 Jan 2019" (PDF). 18 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  7. Launch Schedule. Spaceflight Now. Retrieved: 21 June 2020.
  8. "Episode 90 – An update on ISRO's activities with S Somanath and R Umamaheshwaran". AstrotalkUK. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  9. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-get-its-second-spaceport-land-acquisition-work-begins-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/72323869.cms
  10. "Spaceflight Inc. Purchases and Fully Manifests First-Ever Commercial SSLV Mission from NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the Commercial Arm of ISRO, India". Spaceflight. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  11. "Isro to rope in industry majors for mini-PSLV project - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  12. "ISRO, Antrix to involve private sector in SSLV biz". @businessline. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  13. IANS (2 September 2018). "There's big money to make in space business for Indian firms: Antrix chief". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  14. Peri, Dinakar (21 September 2018). "ISRO setting up launch pad for Gaganyaan mission". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  15. "Question number 1733 in Rajya Sabha" (PDF). Retrieved 11 January 2019. A study has been carried out to identify suitable locations for establishment of a launch pad for the small satellite launch vehicle. It was found that the locations in the western sea coast near Gujarat did not meet some of the criteria for establishing the launch pad.
  16. "ISRO readying for low cost satellite launch vehicles". Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  17. "India's 19 upcoming missions, and ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) | SpaceTech Asia". SpaceTech Asia. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  18. "ISRO developing vehicle to launch small satellites". Frontline. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  19. "Design for Small Satellite Launch Vehicle ready". The Hindu. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  20. "ORF on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  21. Narayan Prasad (4 July 2018), Dr. Somnath on ISRO's Roadmap and Indian Launch Vehicles at Toulouse Space Show 2018, retrieved 2 September 2018
  22. "'Industrialised' PSLV by 2022". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 25 January 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 January 2020.CS1 maint: others (link)
  23. "Message from Chairman's desk". www.isro.gov.in. Indian Space Research Organisation. 1 January 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  24. "TENDER NOTICE NO. SDSC SHAR/Sr.HPS/PT/13/2019-2020" (PDF). www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 30 October 2019. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR SUPPLY, INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING OF RAIL TRACK FOR SLC PROJECT
  25. "TENDER NOTICE NO. SDSC SHAR/Sr.HPS/PT/RO/03/2019-2020" (PDF). www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 30 October 2019. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR PROCUREMENT, MANUFACTURE, SUPPLY, TESTING & COMMISIONING OF SELF PROPELLED UNITS FOR SLC
  26. "TENDER NOTICE NO. SDSC SHAR/Sr.HPS/PT/11/2019-2020" (PDF). www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 30 October 2019. RFP document for Supply of Stainless Steel Tanks
  27. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-get-its-second-spaceport-land-acquisition-work-begins-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/72323869.cms
  28. "ISRO's Second Spaceport, for New SSLV Rocket, to Come up in Tamil Nadu". The Wire. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  29. 4 IAF Pilots Selected, Design Phase Of Manned Mission Over: ISRO Chief (Video). 2 January 2020. Event occurs at 8 minutes.
  30. Madhumathi, D.S. (7 August 2019). "ISRO's mini launcher SSLV is unborn but has 2 flights booked". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  31. "On its maiden flight, India's SSLV will carry two defence satellites". The Economic Times. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  32. "Annual Report 2019-20, Department of Space" (PDF). 14 February 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  33. "Application for Earth Exploration Satellite Service by BlackSky Global, LLC" (PDF). FCC. 25 July 2019. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019. Global-5 through Global-8 are currently scheduled to be launched in November 2019 on a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) by the Indian Space Research Organization from its Satish Dhawan Space Center.
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