"Will transfer SSLV to the private sector": ISRO chairman

• Image Credit: Google

• Jul 10, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said on Monday that it will transfer its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle to...

Digital Desk: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said on Monday that it will transfer its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to the private sector in response to rising demand for small satellites. The SSLV, which has had two development flights, aims to provide on-demand services to place satellites weighing up to 500 kg in low-Earth orbit.

"We have built our own SSLV, which will be transferred to industry and produced in large quantities to meet the growing demand," ISRO chairman S Somanath stated during the inauguration ceremony of the India Space Congress, which was organized by SIA India.

A senior official stated that the space agency has opted to go the bidding route to transfer the mini-rocket to the industry.

The SSLV is ISRO's sixth launch vehicle and has undergone two development flights in August of last year and February of this year.

The SSLV's maiden flight in August of last year was a failure due to vibration disturbance on the Equipment Bay deck for a brief period during the second-stage separation.

Following an in-depth examination of the issue, the ISRO implemented corrective procedures and successfully launched the SSLV in February.

The SSLV placed the ISRO's EOS-07 satellite, Antaris' Janus-1 satellite, and Space Kidz's AzaadiSAT-2 satellites in a 450-kilometer circular orbit.

Small rockets, such as the SSLV, target nano- and micro-satellites weighing less than 10 kg and 100 kg, respectively, offer on-demand launch services, eliminating the need for clients to wait for larger rockets to take them as co-passengers.

Last year, the ISRO granted a contract to a consortium led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Larsen & Toubro to develop five polar satellite launch vehicles (PSLVs), its workhorse rocket with 54 successful flights.

According to a recent report released by the Indian Space Association and consulting firm EY India, commercial satellite launch services could see India's domestic space industry contribute USD 13 billion to the economy by 2025.

The SSLV was the ISRO's sixth launch vehicle, following the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3), Advanced Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3). The SLV-3 and ASLV have subsequently been retired.