The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked a significant milestone with the successful launch of the EOS-08 satellite during the third developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) from Sriharikota. Before this crucial mission, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath visited the revered Sri Chengalamma Temple in the Tirupati district, where special pujas were conducted, seeking divine blessings for the smooth and successful mission. The SSLV-D3 mission, along with the successful deployment of the EOS-08 satellite, is a significant achievement for ISRO, showcasing advancements in both technological innovation and operational capabilities.
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The SSLV-D3 was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Following the satellite’s successful deployment, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath confirmed that the SSLV development process is now complete.
ISRO Chairman Declares: “Everything is Perfect”
ISRO Chief S. Somanath proudly announced that the third developmental flight of the SSLV-D3/EOS-08 had been executed flawlessly. He confirmed that the rocket placed the satellites into their intended orbits with no deviations. “The final orbit will be confirmed after tracking, but the current indication is that everything is perfect. Both the EOS-08 and SR-08 satellites were successfully injected after the required maneuvers. Congratulations to the SSLV-D3 team and the entire project team,” Somanath stated.
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With this successful launch, the development of SSLV, ISRO’s small-lift launch vehicle, is officially complete. The SSLV can carry payloads of up to 500 kg and place them in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of up to 500 km. Somanath added, “With this third developmental flight of SSLV, we can declare the development process complete.” Indian industries can now utilize this rocket for future missions with the support of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a government-owned company.
Science Minister Praises ISRO Team
Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh commended the ISRO team for the successful SSLV-D3/EOS-08 launch. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed his appreciation, stating, “Kudos to Team ISRO for the successful launch of the SSLV-D3/EOS-08 Mission. With the personal intervention and support provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Team ISRO has achieved consistent success, mission after mission.”
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What’s Next for ISRO After a Successful Hat-Trick in 2024?
With Friday’s success, ISRO has completed a hat-trick of successful missions in 2024. Earlier this year, the space agency launched the PSLV-C58/XpoSat mission in January and the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission in February.
Looking ahead, ISRO’s upcoming missions include the NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR), a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory developed in collaboration with NASA, and Gaganyaan, a mission focused on demonstrating human spaceflight by sending a crew of three astronauts into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission and returning them safely to Earth. Although launch dates have yet to be announced, these missions are eagerly anticipated.
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The most awaited event this year is Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic flight to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. He will be the first Indian astronaut to journey to the ISS, accompanied by two other astronauts.
The successful launch of the SSLV-D3 and the EOS-08 satellite marks a significant achievement for ISRO, solidifying its position as a global leader in space technology. The completion of the SSLV development enhances India’s capability to deploy small satellites more efficiently, opening up opportunities for commercial and research ventures. With a series of successful missions this year and ambitious projects lined up, including the Gaganyaan and NISAR missions, ISRO continues to push the boundaries of space exploration. The visit to Sri Chengalamma Temple and the special prayers highlight the deep connection between tradition and technological progress in India’s space endeavors. As the nation gears up for more groundbreaking missions, ISRO’s consistent success underscores its commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of space exploration.
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