Why ISRO's SSLV rocket could be the most affordable rocket in the world?
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| SSLV |
The Smallsat industry is gaining huge attention in recent years. In order to compensate for this, ISRO has developed a small satellite launch vehicle called SSLV.
Let's take a look at why this rocket could be the most affordable in the world.
Why smallsat launchers are necessary?
Small satellite launchers are inevitable in the future. You might think, why are small sat rockets available? Can't we just launch them in a large rocket?
Consider this, if you order a hamburger online, will they send a truck to deliver it? or will they rather send a bike to deliver it?
Then you might ask, a truck has a larger quantity you could carry like 10,000 hamburgers in there. That is correct but you have to wait until the truck gets filled with 10,000 hamburgers.
Small satellite launch providers won't have the money to pay for big rockets or they don't have time to wait until next launch; They wanted to send their satellite quicker and that's where small satellite launchers come in.
These small rockets can be easily assembled and launched within 2-3 days
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| SSLV |
Features
This rocket has some astonishing features. They include
- Lower per kg cost
- It can be assembled in 72 hours
- The cost per launch is 4 million which is considered one of the most affordable ways to send a rocket
- It can also be launched on-demand anytime
Payload Capacity
This rocket is able to launch 500 kgs to low-Earth orbit and about 300 kgs to Sun-synchronous orbit
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| SSLV |
Rocket Stages
As it is a small satellite launch vehicle you might think this may have about one or two stages, but that's not it.
This rocket has four stages; three stages of this rocket powered by solid rocket motors and the last stage consists of the velocity trimming module which is powered by liquid fuel.
Cost per launch
This rocket has a cost per launch of about 4 million, which is considered as one of the lowest in the world.
So there is no doubt that most smallsat customers will rely on SSLV.
Development Progress
The SSLV rocket is currently under construction. This will be ready by October 2021.
The first static fire test was conducted on 18th March 2021. Due to some technical issues, it couldn't succeed.
This rocket is also expected to carry BlackSky satellites into Low Earth Orbit by 2022
Launchpad
Initially, this rocket will be launched from Sriharikota. A new launch complex is being built exclusively for this rocket. It is called a small satellite launch complex and is constructed at Thoothukudi, India. This rocket can also be launched on a mobile platform.
Unlike the larger rockets which require about 600 people on mission control, this rocket requires only 6 people and a single computer is enough to control the operations.
Size
The payload fairing of this rocket is about 2.1m that's a lot of space for nanosatellites. In case you don't know what's a nanosatellite, here is a quick view
Nanosatellites - 1 to 10 kg
Microsatellites - 10 to 100 kg
Minisatellite - 100 to 500 kg
Reusability
The SSLV is not a reusable launch vehicle but ISRO is working on reusable technology
Conclusion
That said, small satellites are the future of space technology. In fact, a lot of countries are now building their own small satellite launchers like Minautaur 1, electron, relativity space, virgin Orbit, etc
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