ISRO launches India's maiden SSLV-D1/EOS-02 mission, but suffers 'data loss' at terminal stage

ISRO launches India's maiden SSLV-D1/EOS-02 mission, but suffers 'data loss' at terminal stage

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday (August 7, 2022) launched India's maiden Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) carrying an earth observation satellite EOS-02 and a student satellite AzaadiSAT. The rocket lifted off at 9.18 am from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The space agency's maiden SSLV, however, suffered "data loss" at the terminal stage.

"All stages performed as expected. The first stage performed and separated, the second stage performed and separated, the third stage also performed and separated, and in the terminal phase of the mission, some data loss is occurring and we are analysing the data and we will come back on the status of the satellites as well as the vehicle performance soon," ISRO Chairman S Somanath said from the Mission Control Centre, minutes after the launch vehicle lifted off from the spaceport.

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

ISRO's SSLV-D1/EOS-02 mission is aimed at garnering a larger pie in the small launch vehicles market, as it can place the satellites into Low Earth Orbit. The SSLV can put payloads (mini, micro or nanosatellites) weighing up to 500 kg into the 500 km planar orbit.

The main payload on the 34-meter-tall rocket is the earth observation-02 satellite and co-passenger satellite AzaadiSAT, an 8-kg Cubesat designed by the girl students from government schools across the country to mark the 75th anniversary of India's Independence.

ISRO's EOS-02 is experimental optical remote sensing satellite

The EOS-02 is an experimental optical remote sensing satellite with a high spatial resolution. It is to realise and fly an experimental imaging satellite with a short turnaround time and to demonstrate launch-on-demand capability. EOS-02 belongs to the microsatellite series of space crafts.

AzaadiSAT is 8U Cubesat weighing around 8 kgs

The AzaadiSAT is an 8U Cubesat weighing around 8 kgs. It carries 75 different payloads each weighing around 50grams. Girl students from rural regions across the country were provided guidance to build these payloads.

The payloads are integrated by the student team of 'Space Kidz India'. The ground system developed by 'Space Kidz India' will be utilised for receiving the data from this satellite.

ISRO's SSLV-D1/EOS-02 mission is third this year after PSLV-C53 mission

Sunday's mission of ISRO is the third this year after the successful PSLV-C53 mission on June 30, which is the dedicated commercial mission of NewSpace India Ltd.

On February 14, ISRO successfully placed earth observation satellite EOS-04 on board its trusted workhorse PSLV-C52/EOS-04 mission.

The radar imaging satellite was designed to provide high-quality images under all weather conditions for applications such as agriculture, forestry, and plantations.

(With agency inputs)