Sriharikota (AP), Aug 7 (Representative) India’s maiden Small Satellite LaunchVehicle (SSLV) successfully injected both the satellites after separation,but the orbit achieved was less than expected, which makes it unstable.In an update, ISRO said “all the stages performed normal. Both thesatellites were injected. But, the orbit achieved was less than expected,which makes it unstable. “The three stage SSLV-D1, the first developmental flight, carrying 135 kgearth observation satellite EOS-02 and 8 kg 8U Cubesat AzaadiSat, tookoff from the First Launch Pad as scheduled at 0918 hrs after a smoothseven hour countdown. The performance of all the three stages–ignition and separation and thecoasting period during the separation of the second and third stage–werenormal.
Both the satellites got separated from the launch vehicle and were injectedinto the orbit, when the scientists at the Mission Control Centre lost dataconnectivity with the launch vehicle and the satellites. The injection of the satellites was clearly visible in the giant screens keptat the media centre. Later, ISRO Chairman Dr.Somanath in a brief address from the MissionControl Centre, said “Maiden flight of SSLV is completed. All stagesperformed as expected. Data loss is observed during the terminal stage. It is being analysed. Will be updated soon.”Later, in an update ISRO said SSLV successfully injected both the satellitesafter separation, but the orbit achieved was less than expected, which makesit unstable. SSLV-D1 is a 34 m tall, 2 m diameter vehicle having a lift-off mass of 120 T.
EOS-02 is an earth observation satellite designed and realised by ISRO. Thismicrosat series satellite offers advanced optical remote sensing operating ininfra-red band with high spatial resolution. The bus configuration is derivedfrom IMS-1 bus.AzaadiSAT is a Cubesat and carried 75 different payloads each weighingaround 50 grams and conducting femto experiments.Girl students from rural regions across the country were provided guidanceto build these payloads. The payloads are integrated by the student team of “Space Kidz India”. The payloads include a UHF-VHF Transponder working in ham radio frequencyto enable voice and data transmission for amateur radio operators, a solidstate PIN diode-based Radiation counter to measure the ionising radiationin its orbit, a long-range transponder and a selfie camera.