The new rocket 'Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)’ can carry payloads of 300 kg and 500 kg depending on the orbit

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch its new rocket 'Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)' before December 2020. Necessary tests to check its biggest motor will be done in November.

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), according to IANS. PSLV C49 will fly with about 10 satellites next month.

All powered by solid fuel, SSLV is a three-stage/engine rocket. The 34-meter rocket will have a liftoff mass of 120 tons. It has the capability for multiple satellite launches at different orbits, said a WION report.

The SSLV can carry a 500 kg payload for low earth orbit (LEO) and 300 kg for sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The report said that the development cost of the rocket is about Rs 120 crore.

The per kg cost of launching a satellite will be similar to that of ISRO's other rocket PSLV. The first payload for SSLV has already been booked and some more payloads are being looked at as the rocket can carry up to 500 kg, according to the report.

The first satellite to be carried by SSLV will be 142 kg Microsat-2A to demonstrate launch on-demand capability, according to ISRO.

The satellite is expected to meet the ever-increasing user demands for cartographic applications at cadastral level, urban and rural management, coastal land use and regulation, utility mapping, development, and various other geographic information systems (GIS) applications, said the report.