Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a small-lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO with payload capacity to deliver 500 kg (1,100 lb) to low Earth orbit (500 km (310 mi)) or 300 kg (660 lb) to Sun-synchronous orbit (500 km (310 mi)) for launching small satellites, with the capability to support multiple orbital drop-offs. SSLV is made keeping low cost, low turnaround time in mind with launch-on-demand flexibility under minimal infrastructure requirements.
SSLV D1 lifting off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad | |
| Function | Small-lift launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | NSIL, ISRO |
| Country of origin | India |
| Cost per launch | ₹35 crore (US$4.4 million) (expected) |
| Size | |
| Height | 34 m (112 ft) |
| Diameter | 2 m (6 ft 7 in) |
| Mass | 120 t (120 long tons; 130 short tons) |
| Stages | 3+1 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to low Earth orbit | |
| Altitude | 500 km (310 mi) |
| Orbital inclination | 45.0° |
| Mass | 500 kg (1,100 lb) |
| Payload to Sun-synchronous orbit | |
| Altitude | 500 km (310 mi) |
| Mass | 300 kg (660 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Comparable | |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
| Total launches | 2 |
| Success(es) | 1 |
| Failure(s) | 1 |
| First flight | 03:48 UTC, 7 August 2022. |
| Last flight | 10 February 2023, EOS-07 |
| First stage – SS1 | |
| Diameter | 2 m |
| Propellant mass | 87,000 kg (192,000 lb) |
| Powered by | S85 |
| Maximum thrust | 2,496 kN (vac) |
| Burn time | 94.3 s |
| Propellant | Solid (HTPB based) |
| Second stage – SS2 | |
| Diameter | 2 m |
| Propellant mass | 7,700 kg (17,000 lb) |
| Powered by | S7 |
| Maximum thrust | 234.2 kN (vac) |
| Burn time | 113.1 s |
| Propellant | Solid (HTPB based) |
| Third stage – SS3 | |
| Diameter | 1.7 m |
| Propellant mass | 4,500 kg (9,900 lb) |
| Powered by | S4 |
| Maximum thrust | 160 kN (vac) |
| Burn time | 106.9 s |
| Propellant | Solid (HTPB based) |
| Fourth stage – Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) | |
| Diameter | 2 m |
| Propellant mass | 50 kg (110 lb) |
| Powered by | 16×50N bipropellant thrusters |
| Propellant | MMH+MON3 Liquid |
The maiden flight SSLV-D1 was conducted on 7 August 2022, from the First Launch Pad, but failed to orbit. A second flight SSLV D2 was conducted on 10 February 2023 that successfully delivered payloads to orbit.
In the future, a dedicated launch site in Kulasekharapatnam, Tamil Nadu will handle SSLV launches to Sun-synchronous orbit. After entering the operational phase, the vehicle's production and launch operations will be done by a consortium of Indian firms along with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).