Small Satellite Launch Vehicle

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle.png

The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle ( SSLV , see illustration; also called "Mini- PSLV ") is a four-stage Indian launcher . It is intended for payloads up to 700 kg and is scheduled to start for the first time in 2020. The Satish Dhawan Space Center on the Indian east coast serves as the launch site .

Purpose and goals

The SSLV should enable inexpensive and frequent launches of small satellites . Compared to the larger Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Indian space agency (ISRO) reckons with only a tenth of the manufacturing costs . It should be possible for six people to prepare for an SSLV start within three days. Only three to four people with normal PC workstations are required for the start itself ; the traditional mission control center is no longer required. The costs of an SSLV start are estimated at a relatively inexpensive 300 million rupees (3.7 million euros).

After the development and construction of some prototypes by ISRO, the series production of the SSLV is to take place privately. Newspace India Limited , founded in March 2019, will handle the technology transfer from ISRO to private manufacturers . Like the other Indian missiles, the SSLV is marketed by the state-owned Antrix Corporation . The company expects 50–60 SSLV starts per year in the medium term.

Structure and technical data

The SSLV consists of three stages powered by solid fuel engines and a fourth stage powered by liquid fuel . The first, second and third stages each have one engine, the fourth has twelve engines in four groups. The latter serve for position control from the ignition of the second stage. After separating the third stage, they allow fine speed corrections. Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) is used as the solid propellant and methylhydrazine and mixed nitrogen oxides (MMH-MON) as the liquid propellant .

The rocket is 34 meters high and 2 meters in diameter. Their launch mass is around 110–120 tons. The maximum payload is given as 500–700 kg for low earth orbits (LEO) and 300 kg for sun-synchronous orbits .

1st stage 2nd stage 3rd stage 4th stage Payload section supporting documents
height 34 m
Height without nozzles 21 m 2 m 1.6 m <1 m 4 m
diameter 2 m 2 m 1.7 m ≤ 2 m 2 m
Engines 1 1 1 12 -
fuel HTPB HTPB HTPB MMH - MON -
Maximum thrust 2600 kN 250 kN 160 kN 50 kN
per engine 		-
Maximum payload
(mass ⇒ orbit / altitude) 		700 kg ⇒ LEO / 200 km? 1
500 kg ⇒ LEO / 500 km    
300 kg ⇒ SSO / 500 km? 2
Takeoff mass approx. 110-120 t
1The sources do not indicate an altitude for the maximum LEO payload. The specification is common for an altitude of 200 km.
2The sources do not indicate an altitude for the maximum SSO payload. The maximum target orbit altitude is given as 500 km.

Start list

As of May 9, 2020

Planned starts:

No. Date ( UTC ) Launch site payload Mass 3 Orbit 4
D1 2020 SHAR IndiaIndiatwo military satellite
adapters, mass simulator 		2 × 120 kg
approx. 250 kg 		LEO
D2 2020 SHAR United StatesUnited States BlackSky Global 7-10 4 × 56 kg SSO
3Take-off mass of the payload including carried fuel (wet mass)
4thTrack on which the upper stage payload is to be released; not necessarily the target orbit of the payload

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ ISRO setting up launch pad for Gaganyaan mission. In: The Hindu. September 21, 2018, accessed March 2, 2019 .
  2. ↑ a b Isro to rope in industry majors for mini-PSLV project. In: Times of India. May 4, 2018, accessed March 2, 2019 .
  3. ↑ a b SSLV will offer cost-effective satellite launch options in India: Antrix CMD. In: The Economic Times. September 9, 2018, accessed March 2, 2019 .
  4. ^ A b ISRO developing vehicle to launch small satellites. In: Frontline. September 14, 2018, accessed on March 2, 2019 (English, pages 7–8).
  5. ↑ ISRO plans 32 missions in 2019, SSLV set for maiden flight in July. In: The Week. January 11, 2019, accessed October 31, 2019 .
  6. ^ New Private Firm to Aid Commercial Transfer of ISRO Technology. In: The Wire. March 12, 2019, accessed on July 29, 2019 (see also the Economy Times article linked there ).
  7. ^ ISRO, Antrix to involve private sector in SSLV biz. In: The Hindu Businessline. August 29, 2018, accessed March 2, 2019 .
  8. ↑ With Eyes On Satellite Launch Market, ISRO Set To Fly Its First Small Rocket Next Year. In: Swaraya. September 16, 2018, accessed March 2, 2019 .
  9. ↑ a b c d e f g h Presentation of ISRO at Bangalore Space Expo 18 , September 2018 (English).
  10. ^ BN Suresh: Small Satellite Launch Vehicle. In: Twitter. Observer Research Foundation, February 16, 2018, accessed March 2, 2019 .
  11. ↑ a b c SSLV. In: skyrocket.de. Accessed July 27, 2019 .
  12. ↑ On its maiden flight, India's SSLV will carry two defense satellites. In: The Economic Times. February 20, 2019, accessed February 21, 2019 .
  13. ↑ 'Industrialised' PSLV by 2022 . The Hindu, January 25, 2020 (English).
  14. ↑ The Space Missions to Watch in 2020 . Space.com, December 31, 2019.