After GSLV F-10 Mission Failure, ISRO Gears Up To Test Solid Fuel Motor Of Small Rocket

The agency is planning to operate a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), a small rocket, with an Indian earth observation satellite before the end of this year.

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Chennai: Days after GSLV F-10 mission failure, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is all set to test a solid fuel motor of its small rocket that is under development, it is learnt. 

Quoting an unidentified official, the IANS report said that the agency is planning to operate a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), a small rocket, with an Indian earth observation satellite before the end of this year. Targeting the small satellite launch market, the SSLV is being designed to have a carrying capacity of 500 kilograms, the report said. 

The 34-metre-tall SSLV, which has a lift-off mass of 120 tonne, is a three-staged/engine rocket powered by solid fuel, the report said.

The first static test of the SSLV’s solid fuel motor was not successful due to some issues with the engine’s nozzle, the report said and added that other two engines for the SSLV were tested earlier. 

The report said, the second test will be with the rocket’s engine and a new first stage engine for the rocket has to be built. 

ISRO is also getting orders from foreign parties to launch small satellites, the report added.

At present, ISRO loads the small satellites along with its bigger satellites that are launched with Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). At times, the agency also gets orders to launch bigger satellites for which it uses its PSLV variants, according to the report.

ISRO has three fully operational rockets - the four stage/engine PSLV and its variants and two GSLV variants - GSLV-Mk II and GSLV-Mk III, the report said.

The GSLV is a three stage/engine rocket. The core of the first stage is fired with solid fuel and the strap-on motors by liquid fuel. The second is the liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine developed indigenously, the report added

(With inputs from IANS)