Spaceflight, a couple of days ago, announced that they have started a ride-sharing scheme for its space rockets. So far Spaceflight has helped ISRO in sending over 100 spacecraft to orbits.
These spacecraft were mounted on Spaceflight rockets. This April ISRO launched 21 satellites for Spaceflight in its PSLV C-45 mission including 20 Flock-4a satellites constellations called Planet and Astrocast-02 3U CubeSat from Switzerland-based Astrocast.
Indian Space Research Organisation had also opened its commercial subsidiary called the New Space India Limited. Little time has passed after its establishment, and NSIL already got a new customer, none other than Spaceflight. Spaceflight has bought a slot on the first commercial launch of ISRO’s newest rocket – Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
The SSLV is expected to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre later this year. It should also be mentioned that the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle can launch 1,100-1,600 kg satellites into the Sun Synchronous Orbit.
NSIL is responsible for the production of the rocket with the help of the private players. SSLV is capable of injecting small satellites weighing up to 500 kg in low-earth orbits. This initiative is a good option for SSLV and also as it would boost the launch capacity of the space agency in the small satellite category.
SSLV is perfectly suited for launching multiple microsatellites at a time and it supports multiple orbital drop-offs. It is designed for the launch-on-demand concept with very quick turn-around capability in between launches. We are very excited to work with NSIL to offer customers the option to launch from SSLV, hence our purchase of its first available launch – Curt Blake, CEO and President, Spaceflight
“We are taking advantage of the growth in the small satellite market to deliver more launch options with the mini-launcher,” Radhakrishnan D, the Director of NSIL, said regarding the release.
