The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has scripted a historical milestone for successfully launching Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), which is the agency's maiden project. After enduring a fiasco in its first attempt that was made last August, the organization has finally succeeded in the launch, that was held on Friday - February 10.

Interestingly, the SSLV-D2 was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on Friday at 9.18 am - the same time when its predecessor (SSLV- D1) was launched, only to end up with a setback. The first rocket of this maiden project had lifted off on August 7, 2022, but failed to reach its destination due to orbit anomoly and flight path deviation.

In the wake of the setback, the space agency took it back and put up corrective measures in the second rocket, that was successfully launched on Friday. As the second vehicle of the SSLV project was successfully launched, the ISRO is over the moon as the scientists and staff exchange greetings and commendations. 

ISRO Chairman S Somanath said SSLV in its second flight put the three satellites in the intended orbit with precision. Following the launch, Somanath said from the Mission Control Centre, "Congratulations to the space community of India. We have a new launch vehicle, the small satellite SSLV. In its second attempt, SSLV D2 has placed the satellites in the intended orbit precisely. Congrats to all three satellite teams." 

"All the problems related to the previous SSLV launch have been identified, corrective action taken and implemented in good time", Somanath added. He further said, "We are preparing for the next launch of GSLV Mark III leading to the launch of OneWeb India 236 satellites. This will take place around mid-March." Mission Director S Vinod said, "ISRO team made a comeback in short time soon after the August 7, 2022, failure. ISRO now has a new launch vehicle". Notably, the first successful launch for ISRO in 2023 has given the space agency a huge boost. 

The SSLV D2 had carried EOS-07, an Earth observation satellite as its main payload and two others - Janus-1, built by US-based Antaris and AzaadiSAT-2, built by Chennai-based Space Kidz India. The latter (about 8.2 kg) was built in a combined effort of about 750 girl students across India under the guidance of Space Kidz India, Chennai. Accomplishing its mission, the SSLV had put these three satellites in a 450-km circular orbit. 

According to ISRO, SSLV is capable of launching mini, micro, or nano satellites in the 10-500 kg segment into the 500 km planar orbit. It caters to the launch of satellites to Low Earth Orbits on launch-on-demand basis. It provides low-cost access to Space, offers low turn-around time and flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, and demands minimal launch infrastructure. After the launch, ISRO took to Twitter and wrote, "SSLV-D2/EOS-07 Mission is accomplished successfully. SSLV-D2 placed EOS-07, Janus-1, and AzaadiSAT-2 into their intended orbits." 

SSLV-D2/EOS-07 Mission is accomplished successfully.

SSLV-D2 placed EOS-07, Janus-1, and AzaadiSAT-2 into their intended orbits.

— ISRO (@isro) February 10, 2023