The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), marking the end of its development project.
Key Details
SSLV: Designed to place payloads up to 500 kg into low-Earth orbit, the SSLV is a three-stage launch vehicle. It has a velocity trimming module (VTM) that aids in precise satellite placement in addition to three solid propulsion stages.
Launch Specifics: The SSLV program was successfully concluded with the successful launch of the Earth observation satellite EOS-08 into orbit by the SSLV-D3 mission. After two previous missions that tested different aspects of the launch vehicle, this is ISRO’s third developmental flight of the SSLV.
Cost-Effective Launch: The SSLV is perfect for launching small commercial satellites because it is built to be an inexpensive, rapid launch vehicle. It just takes six people to operate and can be assembled and launched in seventy-two hours.
ISRO’s Rocket Fleet:
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):Dubbed the “workhorse of ISRO,” the PSLV has launched over 50 missions since its commencement in 1994. It is designed to launch satellites into low Earth orbit and has a payload capability of up to 1,860 kg.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV): The GSLV is used to place larger satellites into geostationary transfer orbit. It has a payload capacity of up to 4,000 kg and cryogenic engines for increased thrust.
Commercialization:NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, is in charge of promoting and overseeing the commercial usage of SSLV’s. The SSLV is expected to meet the increased demand for small satellite launches by commercial enterprises, colleges, and government agencies.
Satellite Orbit Types
Geosynchronous orbits.
It is a path around the Earth in which the orbital period corresponds to the Earth’s rotation period.
This path in high Earth orbit (located at an altitude of 35790 km) is known as a geosynchronous orbit.
Satellites for telecommunications and remote sensing are positioned in this orbit.
Geostationary Orbit (GSO):
This is a geosynchronous orbit with an inclination of zero, meaning it is on the same plane as the equator.
It is 35,786 kilometers above Earth’s equator. A satellite in this orbit seems to be stationary when viewed from Earth.
The geostationary satellite maintains the same location throughout the day.
Thus, it is utilized for applications that require a direct channel of communication between the satellite and the receiver (for example, direct television transmission).
Semi-synchronous orbit:
A semi-synchronous orbit is one in which the orbital period is twelve hours.
These orbits are 20,200 kilometers (sometimes known as “medium-earth orbits,” or MEO) above the surface of the planet.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites are stationed in these almost circular orbits.
Polar orbits:
From the Earth’s north pole to its south pole, polar orbits cross the planet. The majority of these orbits occur at low altitudes, often between 200 and 1000 km.
A single spin typically takes one and a half hours. The earth is revolving beneath a satellite in a polar orbit.
It can therefore cover the entire planet in a day. Crops, remote sensing, and other applications are monitored by them.
Sun Symmetric Orbits:
These polar orbits follow the Sun’s synchronous path. As a result, it crosses the same area of the planet at the same time of day.
A satellite in a sun-synchronous orbit is typically located between 600 and 800 kilometers above the earth.
Typically, spy and weather monitoring satellites are stationed in this orbit.
Lower Earth Orbit: A low Earth orbit is basically at an altitude of less than 1000 km.
Orbit of Earth Parking: An Earth parking orbit is a transitional orbit that a satellite uses before launch before being launched into its permanent orbit.
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