Small Satellite Launch Vehicle

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle

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  The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed the much awaited Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). 
  
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  Till now the small satellites were being launched along with the bigger ones through PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) which was adding an unprecedented amount of waiting time for the small satellite developers.
  
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  The SSLV seeks to serve the rapidly growing market for the launch of small satellites into the LEO (Earth’s low orbits) which has emerged in recent times to serve the requirements of the developing nations, universities/institutions for small satellites, and private firms.
  
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  SSLV is a three-stage vehicle and has a capability to launch up to 500 kg satellite mass into 500 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 300 kg to Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
  
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  The launch vehicle uses solid fuel in all its stages of flight.
  
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  It is perfectly suited for launching multiple microsatellites at a time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs.
  
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  Manufacturing of SSLV is the responsibility of the commercial arm of ISRO i.e. NSIL (New Space India Limited).
  
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  SSLV is ISRO’s lightest launch vehicle, weighing around 110 tons.
  
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  Contrary to PSLV’s 70 days time to get integrated, the SSLV takes only 72 hours.
  
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  SSLV needs only 6 people to integrate it.
  
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  The vehicle also features both vented and closed interstage.
  
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  The key features of SSLV are low cost, with low turn-around time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, launch on demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.
  

Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD)

Objectives of RLV-TD:

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  Hypersonic aero thermodynamic characterisation of wing body;
  
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  Evaluation of autonomous Navigation, Guidance and Control (NGC) schemes;
  
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  Integrated flight management;
  
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  Thermal Protection System Evaluation;
  

Achievements:

Scramjet Engine