Student Education Repository (மாணவர்கள் கல்விக் களஞ்சியம்): ISRO to launch SSLV-D1 on August 7; Here’s how you can watch it up-close

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

ISRO to launch SSLV-D1 on August 7; Here’s how you can watch it up-close

ISRO to launch SSLV-D1 on August 7; Here’s how you can watch it up-close.

The remaining two stages of the SSLV mission, namely the SS2 and SS3, have also successfully undergone ground tests.

India’s space history awaiting another milestone! India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will launch its new satellite, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle(SSLV), on August 7 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota. The public can watch the launch from the organization’s launch viewers’ gallery. The vehicle, which is designed to launch satellites, will be launched at 9:20 am.

ISRO has invited common citizens to watch the launch of the SSLV-D1 Mission from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The event will be carried out on August 7. The launch of the satellite is scheduled to take place at 9:20 am on August 7. To view the event, the public can register at the SDSC’s Launch View Gallery website.

The launch venue of the Space Port of India, which is located in Sriharikota, is very popular with tourists. Thousands of people can watch the event from the gallery. On March 14, the ground testing of the new solid booster stage for the S-Class satellite of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was carried out at the facility.

All the propulsion parameters during the test were found satisfactory and closely matched with the predictions.

What we know about SSLV Mission and its purpose

The new solid booster stage, which is called the SS1 motor, features three solid propulsion segments. It is equipped with various new technologies and features, such as a bond-free joint between the multiple segments, a high-powered electromechanical actuator, and an ignitor with digital control electronics and simultaneous propellant casting of all segments. The components are first validated in the ground test.

Following the successful ground test of the new solid booster stage, the first developmental flight of the SSLV-D1 will be carried out in May 2022. The remaining two stages of the SSLV mission, namely the SS2 and SS3, have also successfully undergone ground tests.

The launch of the new satellite launch vehicle, originally scheduled for the last quarter of 2021, was delayed due to the pandemic. This issue could affect the country’s economic growth in the space market, found experts. The new launch vehicle, which is designed to carry out quick turnarounds for missions, is also expected to keep in mind the commercial launches to low earth orbit.

The maiden flight of the SSLV will be used to launch the Earth observation satellite known as the EOS-2. It will be used to develop and implement various GIS applications. The satellite, which weighs about 140 kg, will have a lifespan of ten months. It will be equipped with two infrared cameras with a resolution of 6 meters.

The SSLV will also be carrying the AazadiSat, a satellite developed by hundreds of students from across the country. It was sent to Sriharikota on Monday to integrate with the launch vehicle.

The new launch vehicle, which is mainly designed for carrying commercial satellites, is expected to cost around a fourth of the current PSLV. The government has sanctioned Rs 169 crores for the development of the project that covers the development & qualification of the vehicle systems and the flight demonstration through three development flights (SSLV-D1, SSLV-D2 & SSLV-D3). It can be assembled by a team of six individuals in just seven days only.

All About SSLV

The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a three-stage launch vehicle configured with three solid propulsion stages and a terminal stage. A solid propulsion rocket stage uses solid propellants as fuel. The terminal stage is a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM).

According to ISRO, SSLV has a diameter of 2.1 meters and a length of 34 meters. The liftoff mass of the launch vehicle is approximately 120 tonnes. The launch vehicle is capable of launching payloads weighing up to 500 kilograms to low-Earth orbit (LEO).

The key features of SSLV are low cost, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, 'launch on demand' feasibility, low turnaround time (the time taken to complete a process), minimal launch infrastructure requirements, and increased production rate from industries.

Also, SSLV has the minimum launch pad occupancy, which means that integration of the vehicle and subsequent launch can be completed within 24 hours.

SSLV has multiple satellite mounting options for nanosatellites, microsatellites, and mini-satellites. The launch vehicle can carry a single satellite weighing up to 500 kilograms to a 500-kilometer planar orbit.

SSLV can carry a payload weighing up to 300 kilograms to Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).

The Velocity Trimming Module (VLT) is equipped with a payload adapter. The first, second, and third stages are known as SS1, SS2, and SS3, respectively.

According to Gunter's Space Page, the first stage of SSLV is related to the Agni-3 and Agni-5 IRBM (Intermediate-range ballistic missile) motors but has a new design.

The satellites will initially be launched atop SSLV from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. However, the third launch may take place from a new launch site being planned on the Indian West coast near Gujarat.

SSLV will carry Microsat 2A and AzaadiSAT as payloads as part of the SSLV-D1 mission.

All About EOS-02 (Microsat 2A)

Microsat 2A is a small Earth-observing satellite developed by ISRO as a test payload for the maiden launch of SSLV. The satellite, also known as EOS-02, is based on Microsat-TD, which was also an Earth-observing satellite. It was India's 100th satellite in space and had the capacity to capture images at night.

Microsat 2A is expected to meet the increasing user demands of cartographic applications at the cadastral level, and facilitate urban and rural management, coastal land use and regulation, mapping of utilities, and another geographic information system (GIS) applications, according to Gunter's Space Page. Cartography is the art of drawing maps, and a cadastral survey tracks and shows the boundary lines of privately owned real estate and public land.

Microsat 2A carries two payloads, namely MWIR (Mid-Wave Infrared) and LWIR (Long-Wave Infrared) cameras.

The mass of Microsat 2A is 142 kilograms. The satellite will be placed into orbit at an altitude of 350 kilometers above sea level. The mission life of Microsat 2A is 10 months. It will be powered by two deployable solar arrays.

Microsat 2A will be placed into the Sun-synchronous orbit.

Earlier this year, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science and Technology, said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha that EOS-02 is a technology demonstration satellite for various new technologies with applications that include agriculture, forestry, geology, miniaturized power electronics, hydrology, and reaction wheels, among others.

EOS-02 was slated for launch in 2021, but the mission was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

All About AzaadiSAT

AzaadiSAT is an 11-kilogram satellite built by 750 girl students from 75 schools across India. The satellite, which will be launched into orbit as a co-passenger satellite on SSLV, has long-range communication transponders, and selfie cameras that will click pictures of its own solar panels, the Indian National Space Promotion, and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) said in a tweet. IN-SPACe is an independent nodal agency under the Department of Space, Government of India, formed to allow space activities and the usage of department-owned facilities by non-governmental private entities (NGPEs).

The AzaadiSAT project is part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative by the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of India's independence.

AzaadiSAT has a mission life of six months. The project is expected to encourage girl students to take up STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects.

The satellite has been developed by Space Kidz India, an aerospace organization creating young scientists for the country. The AzaadiSAT project is a first-of-its-kind space mission with an 'all women concept' to promote 'Women in STEM', a statement released by Space Kidz India said.

IN-SPACe and Space Kidz India signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for AzaadiSAT on June 10.

IN-SPACe wrote in a tweet that 750 girl students from 75 schools across India will be “cheerfully looking at the maiden launch of India's latest launch vehicle SSLV, as it carries their AzaadiSat onboard as a co-passenger”.

Last month, Rifath Sharook, the chief technology officer at Space Kidz India, said on Twitter that the AzaadiSAT is a special mission in which the organization provided 750 girl students the training to build 75 experimental payloads.

He further said that the students were provided with components and training to build basic sensors which can measure different space parameters. The experiments are integrated into the satellite and will fly to orbit, he added. The students are also building their own ground station to receive signals from the satellite.

Sharook further wrote that AzaadiSAT will enable low-cost access to space in the future.