A significant step forward for India’s space aspirations has been achieved by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) with the successful completion of the third and last developmental flight of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). The Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-08) and the passenger satellite SR-0 DEMOSAT were carried by the SSLV-D3 mission, which properly positioned both spacecraft into their intended orbits.
The mission’s success was confirmed by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, who said, “The third developmental flight of LV-D3 with the EOS-08 satellite has been performed successfully. There have been no variations in the satellite injection since the rocket launched the spacecraft into the extremely exact orbit that was intended.” He also reaffirmed that the satellites had been successfully launched into orbit and that all mission parameters were ideal.
“Today we have achieved a major milestone in the journey of LV,” stated S. S. Vinod, the mission director. We are entering the operational phase after the successful completion of the LV-D3’s last and last developmental flight.”
Vinod gave thanks to the team and the leadership of ISRO, saying, “Everyone’s efforts have contributed to this accomplishment. Allow me to use this occasion to express my gratitude to everyone involved, particularly the management team under the direction of our dear Chairman S. Somanath, who has been a key player in the realization of the system and a vital component of this LV.”
What is the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and EOS-08 Satellite?
The smallest rocket operated by ISRO, the SSLV, is 34 meters tall and has a 500 kg maximum payload capacity that it can send into low-Earth orbit. The design and construction of a microsatellite, the development of payload sensors, and the integration of novel technologies for use in future operational satellites are the main objectives of the SSLV-D3-EOS-08 mission.
The EOS-08 satellite is a satellite which carries three payloads, which are are the SiC UV Dosimeter, which is essential for monitoring UV irradiance and is part of the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), the Electro-Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR) for satellite-based surveillance and environmental monitoring, and the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R) for ocean surface wind analysis and flood detection. The satellite is based on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus and has a mass of 175.5 kg and a one-year mission life, producing about 420 W of power.