The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a small cargo-lifting rocket being developed by Indian Space Research Organization. It will be used to launch small satellites such as nanosats and cubesats. With SSLV, ISRO aims to make small satellites launch more affordable and boost revenue. A PSLV costs around 32 million, while SSLV would cost one-tenth of that. This, however, is not what that makes SSLV game changer. SSLV will be India's first "mass produced" (if such a thing exists in the space industry) satellite launch vehicle.
According to ISRO chief K Sivan, SSLV can be readied on demand with minimum launch infrastructure. SSLV can be assembled in 72 hours (3 days) by three to six people. The launch vehicle is capable of launching 500-830kg in low earth orbit ( 500-300km) and 300-560kg in a sun-synchronous orbit (500-300km).
Commercial usage aside, this is India's one of the first steps to ensure uninterrupted access to space. Space assets are usually dual-use in nature. In case of 'total war', knocking out enemy country's satellites would leave them almost blind and deaf. Both Russia and China have anti-satellite weapons. In a war, it is quite possible that China might destroy several Indian reconnaissance satellites orbiting in low earth orbit, which would cripple India's strike capabilities. Assembling conventional rockets is a time-consuming process, it takes several weeks to assemble a PSLV rocket and even more in case of GSLV, and therefore cannot be used to launch a satellite on an emergency basis.
SSLV modules (boosters) will be fabricated in advance. Since SSLV can be assembled in a very short timeframe, it can be used to quickly replace lost satellites or augment other space-based assets during wartime.
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According to ISRO chief K Sivan, SSLV can be readied on demand with minimum launch infrastructure. SSLV can be assembled in 72 hours (3 days) by three to six people. The launch vehicle is capable of launching 500-830kg in low earth orbit ( 500-300km) and 300-560kg in a sun-synchronous orbit (500-300km).
Commercial usage aside, this is India's one of the first steps to ensure uninterrupted access to space. Space assets are usually dual-use in nature. In case of 'total war', knocking out enemy country's satellites would leave them almost blind and deaf. Both Russia and China have anti-satellite weapons. In a war, it is quite possible that China might destroy several Indian reconnaissance satellites orbiting in low earth orbit, which would cripple India's strike capabilities. Assembling conventional rockets is a time-consuming process, it takes several weeks to assemble a PSLV rocket and even more in case of GSLV, and therefore cannot be used to launch a satellite on an emergency basis.
SSLV modules (boosters) will be fabricated in advance. Since SSLV can be assembled in a very short timeframe, it can be used to quickly replace lost satellites or augment other space-based assets during wartime.
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