The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working towards launching its new rocket ‘Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)’ before December 2020, a senior official said.
Necessary tests to check its biggest motor will be done in November. According to IANS, the SSLV launch will be from the first launch pad at Sriharikota rocket port after the flight of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C49 (PSLV C49).
Post-PSLV C49’s flight, the launchpad set up has to be reconfigured to suit SSLV. Sometime next month PSLV C49 will fly with about 10 satellites. The rocket will be carrying India’s RISAT-2BR2 and other commercial satellites.
It will be followed by PSLV C50 with the GSAT-12R satellite in December. The rocket is being assembled at Sriharikota with various systems coming from different centers. It will fly from the second launch pad, Somanath said.
From the drawing board to launchpad the time taken is only about two-and-half years. The SSLV is a three-stage/engine rocket all powered by solid fuel. (Source Wion)
