In its maiden flight, SSLV injects both satellites, orbit achieved is less, says ISRO

Sriharikota: India's maiden Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) successfully injected both the satellites after separation, but the orbit achieved was less than expected, which makes it unstable.

In an update, ISRO said "all the stages performed normal. Both the satellites were injected. But, the orbit achieved was less than expected, which makes it unstable."

The three stage SSLV-D1, the first developmental flight, carrying 135 kg earth observation satellite EOS-02 and 8 kg 8U Cubesat AzaadiSat, took off from the First Launch Pad as scheduled at 0918 hrs after a smooth seven hour countdown.

The performance of all the three stages--ignition and separation and the coasting period during the separation of the second and third stage--were normal.

Both the satellites got separated from the launch vehicle and were injected into the orbit, when the scientists at the Mission Control Centre lost data connectivity with the launch vehicle and the satellites.

The injection of the satellites was clearly visible in the giant screens kept at the media centre.

Later, ISRO Chairman Dr.Somanath in a brief address from the Mission Control Centre, said "Maiden flight of SSLV is completed. All stages performed as expected. Data loss is observed during the terminal stage. It is being analysed. Will be updated soon."

Later, in an update ISRO said SSLV successfully injected both the satellites after separation, but the orbit achieved was less than expected, which makes it unstable.

SSLV-D1 is a 34 m tall, 2 m diameter vehicle having a lift-off mass of 120 T.EOS-02 is an earth observation satellite designed and realised by ISRO. This microsat series satellite offers advanced optical remote sensing operating in infra-red band with high spatial resolution. The bus configuration is derived from IMS-1 bus.

AzaadiSAT is a Cubesat and carried 75 different payloads each weighing around 50 grams and conducting femto experiments.

Girl students from rural regions across the country were provided guidance to build these payloads. The payloads are integrated by the student team of “Space Kidz India”.

The payloads include a UHF-VHF Transponder working in ham radio frequency to enable voice and data transmission for amateur radio operators, a solid state PIN diode-based Radiation counter to measure the ionising radiation in its orbit, a long-range transponder and a selfie camera. (UNI)