ISRO Successfully Launches SSLV-D3-EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite, Enhancing Commercial Launch Capabilities
In a significant achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched an Earth observation satellite today. The satellite was aboard the final development flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3). The launch took place from the first pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 9:17 am. Initially planned for August 15, the launch was rescheduled to August 16.
The SSLV, standing 34 meters tall and weighing 120 tonnes, is a three-stage rocket. It can carry satellites weighing up to 500 kilograms into a 500-kilometer planar orbit. Today, the rocket successfully deployed the 175.5-kilogram Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-08). The satellite carries three key payloads: an Electro-Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR) for infrared imaging, a Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry Payload (GNSS-R) for remote sensing, and a Silicon Carbide Ultraviolet Dosimeter (SiC UV) for monitoring UV radiation and gamma rays. The satellite is designed to operate for a year, producing 420 watts of power.
This mission marks a major step forward for ISRO’s satellite technology and enhances the commercial capabilities of NewSpace India Ltd, ISRO’s commercial arm. The SSLV-D3-EOS-08 mission follows the successful SSLV-D2-EOS-07 launch in February 2023. It is ISRO’s third mission in 2024, after the PSLV-C58/XpoSat in January and the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS in February. This success reinforces ISRO’s dedication to innovation and growth in satellite technology.
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