Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its newest rocket, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D2), from the Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. On its second developmental flight, the SSLV-D2 orbited three satellites, including the 156.3 kg Earth Observation Satellite-07 (EOS-07), the 10.2 kg Janus-1 belonging to ANTARIS of the US, and the 8.7 kg AzaadiSat-2 belonging to Space Kidz India, Chennai. The SSLV-D2 is a 34-metre tall and 120-ton rocket primarily powered by solid fuel, with a velocity trimming module for precise injection of satellites. The success of the SSLV-D2 mission has given a much-needed boost to ISRO after the failure of its maiden SSLV-D1 flight last year. The SSLV is a low-cost and low turnaround time rocket with the potential for flexible and launch-on-demand capabilities. The commercial arm of ISRO, NewSpace India Ltd, plans to transfer the SSLV technology for production in the private sector.
