ISRO SSLV completes maiden flight; experiences data loss

The Indian Space Research Organisation's small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) completed its maiden flight on Sunday, August 7. All stages performed as expected, but data loss was observed during the terminal stage, the agency said.

The SSLV-D1 lifted off from the First Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, carrying EOS-02, a 135 kg earth observation satellite, and an AzaadiSAT satellite.

EOS-02 offers advanced optical remote sensing operating in infra-red band with high spatial resolution. On the other hand, AzaadiSAT is an 8U Cubesat that carries 75 different payloads each weighing around 50 grams and conducting femto-experiments. These payloads were built by girl students from rural regions across the country.

SSLV-D1/EOS-02 Mission: Maiden flight of SSLV is completed. All stages performed as expected. Data loss is observed during the terminal stage. It is being analysed. Will be updated soon.

— ISRO (@isro) August 7, 2022

SSLV is capable of launching Mini, Micro, or Nanosatellites (10 to 500 kg mass) to a 500 km planar orbit. It is designed to cater the launch of up to 500 kg satellites to Low Earth Orbits (LEO) on a ‘launch-on-demand’ basis.

According to ISRO, the launch vehicle offers low turn-around time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, launch-on-demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.

Update 1

ISRO took to Twitter to provide the mission update and said that SSLV-D1 placed the satellites into 356 km x 76 km elliptical orbit instead of 356 km circular orbit, making them unusable.

"Issue is reasonably identified. Failure of a logic to identify a sensor failure and go for a salvage action caused the deviation. A committee would analyse and recommend. With the implementation of the recommendations, ISRO will come back soon with SSLV-D2," the agency tweeted.

Here's ISRO Chairman S. Somanath's detailed statement.