ISRO Small Satellite Launch vehicle (SSLV) : Updates

Foundation Stone Laid for Launch Pad at SSLV Launch Complex (SLC), Kulasekarapattinam

August 29, 2025
1756540143207.png

The SSLV Launch Complex is being established as a dedicated launch complex at Kulasekarapattinam, Tuticorin Dt., Tamil Nadu, in order to meet the growing launch demands of the country, primarily for SSLV launches and for the launch activities of Non-Governmental Enterprises (NGEs). Honourable Prime Minister had earlier laid the foundation stone for the SSLV Launch Complex on February 28, 2024 from Tuticorin. Since then, construction has been progressing for 32 out of the 33 major facilities. On August 27, 2025, Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO / Secretary, Department of Space laid the foundation for the Launch Pad at the SSLV Launch Complex (SLC). The SLC consists of stage preparation & vehicle integration buildings, launch pad & rail track systems, range systems, checkout systems, telemetry & tele-command systems, safety & firefighting facilities, and general civic amenities. Major systems including the Mobile Launch Structure (MLS), bogies, platforms, doors, Jet Deflection Duct and vibration isolation systems have been designed by SDSC SHAR. Major range systems such as radars, telecommand, and telemetry are being developed in-house and being realised through industry partnerships, with support from other ISRO centres including VSSC, SAC, ISTRAC and IISU.

1756540159984.png

On this occasion, the Shri Padmakumar E.S., Director, SDSC- SHAR; Shri Rajarajan A., Director, VSSC; and Shri J. Asir Packiaraj, Director, IPRC were present, along with senior officials of ISRO and State Government Officials.

The Second Launch Complex at this site is targeted for completion by the end of 2026, enabling launches of SSLV as well as rockets from NGEs. The launch of sounding rockets for upper atmospheric studies and demonstration of technologies is targeted to commence from December 2025.

Foundation Stone Laid for Launch Pad at SSLV Launch Complex (SLC), Kulasekarapattinam

https://twitter.com/x/status/1961450540845436994

1756540254179.png
1756540268399.png
1756540284639.png
 
  • Love
Reactions: TARGET
ISRO conducts Ground Test of SSLV Third Stage

December 30, 2025

ISRO carried out a successful static test of an improved version of the third stage (SS3) of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) on December 30, 2025 at the Solid Motor Static Test Facility of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

SSLV is a three stage all-solid launch vehicle developed by ISRO which is amenable to industrial production and can meet launch-on-demand with quick turn-around time between launches. The upper stage or third stage solid motor delivers as high as 4 km/s velocity to the launch vehicle and employs a monolithic composite motor case and a free-standing nozzle divergent to limit the stage inert mass.

The static test validated an improved version of the SS3 stage with a Carbon-epoxy Motor case, which has significantly reduced the mass of the stage, thereby improving the payload performance of SSLV by 90 kg. The stage also features an improved design for the igniter and nozzle system making the system more efficient and robust. The nozzle control is implemented through a fault-tolerant electro-mechanical actuation system with low power control electronics. The high-strength carbon filament wound motor case was realized at the Composites Entity of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ISRO and the solid motor was cast at the Solid Motor production facilities at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, ISRO.

The motor was instrumented with around 233 measurements to capture parameters namely pressure, thrust, temperature, and vibration and control electronics and actuators parameters. All the measured parameters are observed close to predictions over the test duration of 108 seconds. With this successful static test firing test, improved version of SS3 motor is qualified for induction in flight.

In this year, multiple facilities have been commissioned in the country to enhance the capacity of realizing solid motors for the space programme. In July 2025, Solid Motor production facilities were commissioned at Sriharikota for augmenting the capacity. A second production line for Ammonium Perchlorate was commissioned in September 2025 at the Ammonium Perchlorate Plant at Alwaye to double the production capacity of Ammonium Perchlorate required for the processing of solid motors. An indigenous 10-tonne vertical mixer for the solid motor production line was commissioned this year at SDSC, which is the world's largest solid propellant mixing equipment.

The Solid Motor Production & Static Testing facilities at SDSC have also realized & static tested the solid motor for the first orbital launch of a launch vehicle developed by an Indian Space Start-up.

1767124307090.png
SS3 Motor at Test Bed

1767124317835.png
SS3 Motor Static Firing at Test Bed

ISRO conducts Ground Test of SSLV Third Stage
 
  • Like
Reactions: STEPHEN COHEN, Ankit Kumar and Ashwin
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom