Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
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 | ₹30 crore (US$3.5 million) to ₹35 crore (US$4.1 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 | 10 kg (22 lb) to 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 Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport |
| Total launches | 3 |
| Success(es) | 2 |
| Failure(s) | 1 |
| First flight | 03:48 UTC, 7 August 2022. |
| Last flight | 16 August 2024, EOS-08 |
| 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 Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a small-lift launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to deliver 500 kg (1,100 lb) payload to low Earth orbit (500 km (310 mi)) or 300 kg (660 lb) payload to Sun-synchronous orbit (500 km (310 mi)). The rocket supports multi-orbital drop-offs capability for small satellites.
The maiden flight SSLV-D1 was conducted from First Launch Pad on 7 August 2022, however, the payload failed to reach the intended orbit. The second flight SSLV-D2 was successful in delivering payload into orbit on 10 February 2023.
SSLV is made keeping low cost, low turnaround time in mind with launch-on-demand flexibility under minimal infrastructure requirements. It is capable of carrying multiple satellites. Once SSLV is operational, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and a group of Indian companies will manage the mass production and launch activities.