Thread by @Chethan_Dash

#Update (2) #Space #Thread

@isro’s latest rocket, #SSLV, is geared for launch with the space agency aiming for an early Feb launch carrying three payloads. While the main payload will be #EOS7, the mission is also expected to launch #Janus1 from US' Antaris & an Indian sat. 1/n

The Earth observation satellite #SSLV is scheduled to carry will be in the small satellite class with its mass not exceeding 200kg, while the other two satellites sharing the ride will be smaller. 2/n

#SSLV can launch around 500kg sat in a 500km planar orbit and its key features — low cost, low turn-around time, flexibility to launch multiple sats, launch-on-demand, minimal infra requirements, etc,. — can make it a go-to LV for commercial launches in the future. 3/n

However, with its maiden developmental mission having failed to put the satellite in a desired orbit on August 7, 2022, the second developmental flight scheduled now will be critical for the launch vehicle. 4/n

@isro, sources indicated, could be carrying out more than two developmental flights of the new rocket before it is declared operational. And, the space agency has already indicated that SSLV would eventually be handed over to the industry for production. 5/n

And, unlike with the PSLV, where the contract with the industry — HAL-L&T consortium — is only for building the rocket, Isro is even likely to transfer technology with SSLV. 6/n

In another development, satellites from @OneWeb — the second batch the UK firm will be launching on an Indian LV (#GSLVMk3 or #LVM3) — should have arrived at SHAR as we speak. 7/n

This is OneWeb’s 2nd commercial mission using an Indian rocket after the first mission was carried out flawlessly by Isro, which was implementing a contract Space PSU @NSIL_India had with OneWeb. 8/n

On Jan 10, OneWeb confirmed successful deployment of 40 sat launched by @SpaceX & that launch was the firm’s 16th, with only a couple of more remaining to complete its first-generation constellation enabling global connectivity in 2023. 9/n

With 542 satellites now in orbit, OneWeb has more than 80% of its first-generation constellation launched and the LVM3 mission will add another 36 satellites to its constellation. (see attachment for story) n/n