SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (SSLV)

Source: indianexpress

1. Background

• The SSLV is intended to cater to a market for the launch of small satellites into low earth orbits which has emerged in recent years on account of the need for developing countries, private corporations, and universities for small satellites.
• The launch of small satellites has until now been dependent on ‘piggy-back’ rides with big satellite launches on ISRO’s work-horse – the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle which has had over 50 successful launches so far. 
• The launch of small satellites as a consequence has been dependent on the finalizing of launch contracts for the larger satellites by ISRO.

2. About

• ISRO developed a small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) to cater for the launch of up to 500 kg satellites to Low Earth Orbits on a ‘launch-on-demand’ basis. 
• SSLV is configured with three solid stages 
• The satellite insertion into the intended orbit is achieved through a liquid propulsion-based velocity trimming module. 
• SSLV is capable of launching Mini, Micro, or Nanosatellites (10 to 500 kg mass) to a 500 km planar orbit. 
• SSLV provides low-cost access to Space on-a demand basis. 
• It offers low turn-around time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, launch-on-demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc. 

3. Prominence of SSLV

• The SSLV received a commercial booking in 2019 itself from the US space launch services intermediary Spaceflight Inc. 
• Spaceflight announced on August 8, 2019, that it has clinched a deal with an ISRO commercial arm for using the second developmental flight of the SSLV rocket to launch a spacecraft for an “undisclosed US-based satellite constellation”.
• “SSLV is perfectly suited for launching multiple microsatellites at a time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs. 
• We are excited to add SSLV to our launch portfolio and manage many launches together — first to LEO (low earth orbit) mid-inclinations this year and SSO missions starting in the fall of 2020,” 

4. Significance of small satellite programme

• The primary tool for the detailed study of particular regions of space and specific physical phenomena 
• A cost-effective method for addressing key scientific problems 
• A means for the flight demonstration of new spacecraft and instrument design concepts and hardware 
• An opportunity to develop scientific research, engineering and project management capabilities 
• The capability for a quick response to targets of opportunity • An opportunity for international cooperative missions. 
• Explorers and similar space programs cannot play many of these roles when they become ambitious, scientifically or technologically complex projects requiring long development times and large budgets. These roles can be maintained only when scientists have frequent access to new small spaceflight mission

5. Multiple significance of Small Satellite

• More accessible to companies of all types and sizes. For a long time, only a few countries and multinationals had the financial muscle and the technical and human capacity to access space. This has changed. The introduction and widespread use of small satellites has meant a total reduction in space barriers for all types of companies and countries.
  Advances in technology, the reduction in prices, the appearance of new providers and the reduction in waiting times for the implementation of new projects in space have had a decisive influence on this transformation.
• more affordable prices. This is a basic criterion for any company. A conventional satellite, as a reference, can cost between 350 to 450 crore. A small satellite costs less than 50 crores as multiple launches are possible. 
• Shorter development times. The New Space age is about the ability to start projects quickly, without waiting too long. A conventional satellite requires very long development times, between 5 and 15 years. On the other hand, the Small satellites take less than 72 hours for installation and reduced manpower.
• Smaller size and weight. These are two criteria that are closely related to the price of satellites. Let's think of some steps that need to be taken into account in the development of this type of project, such as launch and logistics.
  In the case of launchers, the price of putting a satellite in space is measured in kilograms. The heavier it is, the more expensive it is to launch a satellite. And when it comes to logistics, the level of complexity and the price of moving a CubeSat has nothing to do with the device that needs to be deployed in the case of a conventional satellite.
• Risk distribution. Satellites usually operate in constellations, so the different satellites provide backup and redundancy to the services they offer. If a small satellite becomes unusable, for whatever reason, the project does not fail, but the other small satellite can fill that gap while waiting for a replica to be placed in orbit to take the place of the damaged satellite. And all this in a very short period.
  This is not the case with large satellites, as the consequences of a serious breakdown can be catastrophic for the mission, with the added problem that launching another satellite to take its place can take a matter of years.
  We can also consider other factors beyond the manufacturers' control, such as launching. We can find recent examples of large satellites that were lost without reaching space. As it happens, in the last two years, the United Arab Emirates Falcon Eye 1 military satellite (which cost more than 400 million dollars), the Russian Meteor-M No.2-1 weather satellite (45 million dollars) and the Chinese Yaogan-33 satellite.
  These are risks that exist, even for small satellites. The difference is that the loss of Small satellites allows more room for manoeuvre, even in the short term, and has fewer economic and operational repercussions for the service you want to provide from space.
• More flexible services. The adaptability and flexibility offered by Small satellites are enormous. If a new business opportunity is detected, it is possible to implement new functionalities and services in a relatively simple way. Each new Small satellite is an opportunity to improve the features and solutions offered.
  Without the need to wait for the launch of new CubeSats, there is also room for manoeuvre for reconfiguring the payload of small satellites in space, for example in the case of projects that use SDR platforms.
• Greater independence and control over the project as it involves less administrative work and 
• Greater data security. When intermediaries come into play, the risks associated with the security of the information being transmitted also increase, especially if it is sensitive and strategic data for a government.
  Having a CubeSats constellation avoids having to transmit this information through satellites in countries that are not very respectful of data protection and intellectual and industrial property, with all that this can mean when it comes to preventing leaks or problems derived from geostrategic and commercial tensions.
• Standing out from the competition between India and other countries