India successfully launches SSLV-D2
In a second test flight, the rocket put three satellites into orbit
On Friday, February 9, 2023, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the SSLV – Small Satellite Launch Vehicle , SSLV-D2, which put three satellites into orbit. The launch, which took place at 09:18 IST (03:48 GMT) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, and information about the satellites was broadcasted live on ISRO TV channels. The rocket launched the Indian satellite EOS-07, the American Janus-1 and one produced by space startup in Chennai; SpaceKidz, the AzaadiSAT-2. The devices were successfully launched into a circular orbit at an altitude of 450 km. This was SSLV's second release. The first took place on August 7, 2022, but was unsuccessful: the rocket placed several satellites in an elliptical orbit instead of a circular one, so the satellites could not be used. ISRO then issued a statement that it would soon prepare a new version of the launcher.
The three-stage rocket (plus a pitch adjustment module) placed the satellites in a 450 km circular orbit, inclined at 37.2 degrees; launch azimuth was 135 degrees. EOS 07 entered a 444 x 461 km orbit, with a period of 93.63 minutes and an inclination of 37.20 degrees; the VTM stage (speed control module) was established at 357 x442 km, period of 92.56 and inclination of 37.21 °.
The new small launch vehicle is designed to launch satellites into low earth orbit at competitive prices. Its development by India's space agency aims to strengthen the South Asian country's position in the global space launch market.
The discrepancy may be due to the presence of other undisclosed payloads on board,