Video: ISRO's SSLV takes historic flight, carries students' satellite

The Indian Space Research Organisation's small-lift launch vehicle has begun its maiden flight. The vehicle carries an earth observation satellite - EOS-02 - and AzaadiSAT, which carries 75 different payloads developed by students.

ISRO has embarked on a mission to place satellites that weigh up to 500 kg into the 500 km low earth orbit, as it aims for a bigger share of the demanding SSLV market.

"SSLV-D1/EOS-02 Mission: the countdown commenced at 02.26hrs," ISRO said on its website on Sunday.

The objective of the SSLV is to place satellites EOS-02 and AzaadiSAT, into low earth orbit.

The lift-off of the rocket is scheduled at 9.18 am from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) here, about 135 km from Chennai. About 13 minutes after launch, the rocket is expected to place the EOS-02 and AzaadiSAT into the intended orbit.

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Unlike ISRO’s trusted workhorse -- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) – the SSLV can carry payloads weighing up to 500 kg and deploy satellites into a 500 km low earth orbit.

It uses solid fuel -- hydroxyl terminated polubutadiene -- to fire the first three stages which takes the payloads to the desired altitude. The fourth stage comprises liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) to place the satellites into orbit.

The main payload on the 34-metre-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.