EXPLAINED | ISRO's 'Baby Rocket' Launch: Giant Leap For India's Space Future

On Friday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) aboard a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

This feat marks a crucial milestone in ISRO's pursuit of developing cost-effective and efficient space exploration missions.

The SSLV, ISRO's latest addition to its fleet of launch vehicles, is a mini rocket that weighs 120 tonnes and is capable of carrying payloads up to 500 kilograms into low Earth orbit.

This is in stark contrast to India's heaviest rocket, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mk 3), also known as "Bahubali," which weighs 640 tonnes.

The SSLV carried two payloads during this mission: the EOS-8, an experimental Earth imaging satellite, and the SR-0 Demo Sat, which was developed by Space Rickshaw, a Chennai-based start-up.

EOS-8 is equipped with a unique instrument designed to measure ultraviolet (UV) light exposure to surfaces, a technology that will play a crucial role in India's first manned space mission, Gaganyaan.

This instrument will be used to monitor UV light exposure for astronauts, an essential factor in assessing the risk of cancer-causing radiation, reported NDTV.

The SSLV rocket has garnered praise for its simplicity, ease of production, and cost-effectiveness.

ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath highlighted the rocket's potential as a game changer in the space industry, particularly due to its design, which allows for large-scale production, flexible integration, and minimal testing before launch.

One of the unique features of the SSLV is its ability to be stored and tested as a complete unit, which further enhances its production efficiency.

The development of the SSLV aligns with ISRO's mission to deliver affordable yet effective space solutions. The SSLV was developed at a total cost of over Rs 170 crore and took more than seven years to build.

While ISRO has not disclosed the specific cost of this launch, analysts estimate that each SSLV mission will cost between Rs 30-35 crore, positioning it as one of the most cost-effective launch vehicles in its class.

The potential for commercialising the SSLV is substantial, especially in light of the global small satellite industry's rapid growth.

According to a Bloomberg report, the industry was valued at $3.25 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $13.71 billion by 2030.