Chennai: ISRO’s small SSLV-T2 rocket is expected to be launched on the 10th.
Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) PSLV rocket can launch satellites weighing 1,750 kg and GSLV rocket 4,000 kg.
The demand for launching small satellites has increased in the international space market. Keeping this in mind, ISRO is newly designing small SSLV rockets to carry light weight satellites (up to 500 kg) into low Earth orbit. Its weight is 120 tons. The cost for this will also be within Rs.30 crores.
Accordingly, SSLV-T1 rocket with 2 small satellites was launched on August 7.
But the plan ended in failure when the rocket’s sensor malfunctioned and the satellites were placed in the wrong orbit.
Subsequently, ISRO had announced that a new rocket would be manufactured and launched in SSLV type. A new SSLV-D2 rocket has been designed for that purpose.
ISRO plans to launch this rocket with 3 satellites including EOS-07 this week.
According to ISRO scientists, “Preparation work for the rocket launch is going on intensively. Weather permitting, the rocket will be launched on February 10. The EOS-7 satellite to be launched weighs 334 kg. It is going to be sent for earth observation work.
As the first attempt ended in failure, scientists are trying to implement the project with extra care this time.
