The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the satellites onboard its maiden Small Satellite Launch Vehicle are no longer usable after the SSLV-D1 placed them in an elliptical orbit instead of a circular one.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)

• ISRO developed Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to cater the launch of up to 500 kg satellites to Low Earth Orbits on ‘launch-on-demand’ basis.

• SSLV is configured with three solid stages 87 t, 7.7 t and 4.5 t. 

• The satellite insertion into the intended orbit is achieved through a liquid propulsion-based velocity trimming module. 

• SSLV is capable of launching mini, micro or nanosatellites (10 to 500 kg mass) to a 500 km planar orbit. 

• It provides low-cost access to space on demand basis. It offers low turn-around time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, launch-on-demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.

• SSLV-D1 mission planned to launch Earth Observation Satellite-2 (EOS-02) and a co-passenger satellite — AzaadiSAT — into Low Earth Orbit.

• EOS-02 was planned to be placed into a low earth orbit of about 350 km to the equator. The co-passenger satellite AzaadiSAT was a 8U Cubesat weighing around 8 kg. It carried 75 different payloads each weighing around 50 grams. Girl students from rural regions across the country were provided guidance by ISRO to build these payloads. The payloads were integrated by the student team of ‘Space Kidz India’.

The rocket deviated from its path

• The 34 metre tall SSLV on its maiden journey lifted off at the precise 9.18 am from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. 

• The rocket was supposed to place the two payloads into the intended 356 kms circular orbit around 13 minutes after lift-off. 

• However, scientists were unable to receive data from the rocket even after the payloads got separated from the launch vehicle. 

• The rocket deviated from its path and placed the satellites into 356x76kms low earth orbit due to an anomaly. 

• The satellites were placed in an elliptical orbit in place of circular orbit. The 356 kms circular orbit was the intended orbit but it could place the satellite in an orbit of 356x76 kms.

• As the 76 kms elliptical orbit was the lower most point and closer to the surface of the earth, the satellites placed in such an orbit will not stay for longtime due to the atmosphere and will come down.

• An expert committee has been formed which would identify the specific  problem and undertake a detailed evaluation in days to come.

• Space experts say that since this was SSLVs first flight, minor hiccups were expected.

• It is not the first time for ISRO to face a setback on its maiden launch missions as PSLV — dubbed as one of the trusted workhorses for the space agency — was not successful in its first flight way back on September 20, 1993. After its first successful launch in October 1994, PSLV emerged as the reliable and versatile launch vehicle of India. 

• ISRO said it will come back with SSLV-D2 soon.

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