SRIHARIKOTA: Isro’s smallest and latest commercial rocket, SSLV, entered the global small satellite launch services market on Friday, with the successful launch of the SSLV-D2.After failing to place the satellites in orbit on its maiden flight on August 7, 2022, SSLV on its second developmental flight, placed three satellites including EOS-07, an earth observation satellite, and Janus-1 from US firm Antaris, in the desired orbit.“We have a new launch vehicle,” said Isro chairman S Somanath after the launch.

On Friday morning, SSLV, which is 34m tall and weighs 120 tonnes, lifted off from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Around 13 minutes into the launch, the vehicle separated EOS-07, weighing 156.3kg, and 1.6 minute later ejected the 10.2kg Janus-1 and 8.8kg Azaadisat-2 made by Space Kidz India.

The satellites were intended for a 450km circular orbit.Isro chairman said the vehicle used a new, cost-effective guidance and navigation system.

About the first developmental flight, Somanath said, “We had a narrow miss while trying to place the satellite in orbit because of a shortfall in velocity.

We analysed the problems, took corrective actions to ensure the vehicle was a success this time.”Mission director Vinod S S said within five months of SSLV’s maiden flight, Isro scientists realised five new hardware, a new separation system and made modifications to the navigation and the guidance system.

“With this launch, we have accomplished the objective of having a low-cost vehicle with a short turnaround time to offer launches on demand,” he said.Isro will transfer the SSLV technology to the private sector to manufacture on demand.

Isro is also working on a new spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu to launch SSLVs.Somanath said Isro teams have started the launch campaign for PSLV-C55 slated for the end of March.

The agency is also gearing up for launch of 36 satellites of the UK-based OneWeb.

The chairman said Isro will do a landing demonstration of its reusable launch vehicle and, by the end of this year, launch the Nisar satellite that it developed with Nasa.