The ISRO successfully launched the third SSLV with EOS 08 into orbit today. Earth Observation Satellite with the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 was conducted at 9:17 a.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Seventeen minutes following launch, the satellite was placed in a precise orbit 475 kilometres above Earth.

This is the SSLV’s third and last test flight, marking the end of its development period. ISRO Chairman S Somanath confirmed that the rocket operated deftly, positioning the satellite precisely where anticipated. With this result, ISRO trusts that the third SSLV with EOS 08 is set for regular use and aims to transfer its technology to the industry for bulk manufacture.

The EOS-08 satellite, designed for Earth observation, is headed with state-of-the-art technology for various tasks, including disaster tracking, environmental observations, and surveillance. It possesses several unique features, like the ability to capture infrared photos, monitor UV radiation, and measure soil moisture and ocean winds, making it an all-round tool for scientific research and disaster management.

The 3rd SSLV with EOS 08 presents a significant leap in satellite technology, specifically in its mainframe systems. It comprises an Integrated Avionics system, the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package, which streamlines multiple tasks into a single, efficient unit. This system, built with cold redundant systems, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, and evaluation boards, can handle up to 400 GB of data. The satellite also consists of critical components for onboard technology demonstration, like a structural panel embedded with PCB, an embedded battery, a Micro-DGA (Dual Gimbal Antenna), an M-PAA (Phased Array Antenna), and a flexible solar panel.

The satellite’s antenna pointing mechanisms are miniaturized and can rotate at 6 degrees per second while maintaining a pointing precision of ±1 degree. The miniaturized phased array antenna filters communication capabilities. At the same time, the flexible solar panel has a foldable solar panel substrate, GFRP tube, and CFRP honeycomb rigid end panel for increased power generation and structural stability. A pyrolytic graphite sheet diffuser plate, with a heat conductivity of 350 W/mK, saves mass and can be used for various satellite purposes. Further, the EOS-08 mission employs a novel technique of connecting housekeeping panels via a hinge-based fixture, considerably shortening the Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) phase.

The 3rd SSLV with EOS 08 mission accelerates satellite technology through X-band data transmission by utilizing revolutionary approaches like pulse shaping and Frequency Compensated Modulation (FCM) for X-band data transmitters. The satellite’s battery management system utilizes SSTCR-based charging and bus control, which keep in and out strings at a frequency of 6 Hz.

The mission’s indigenization efforts are a testimony to the country’s technological prowess. These efforts are evident in the solar cell manufacturing techniques and using a Nano-Star Sensor for Microsat Applications. The mission also embodies reaction wheel isolators to lower vibrations in the inertial system and TTC and SPS applications that utilize a single antenna interface. Thermal management is enhanced by adopting materials comprising AFE BGA, Kintex FPGA, Germanium Black Kapton, and STAMET (Si-Al Alloy) Black Kapton to manage the thermal parameters of COTS components. The mission also streaks an auto-launch pad initialization technology, demonstrating its commitment to modern mission management.

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