India to launch Geo-imaging Earth Observation satellite in 3rd qtr of 2021, 1st SSLV by year-end
New Delhi : The Indian Space Research Organisation will launch a Geo-imaging Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-03) in the third quarter of this year, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Minister of State for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh gave the information in a written reply.
The EOS-03 satellite will enable near-real-time monitoring of natural disasters like floods and cyclones.
The satellite will image the whole country four to fives times on a daily basis.
In addition to natural disasters, EOS-03 would also enable monitoring of water bodies, crops, vegetation condition, forest cover changes etc.
The Minister said the first developmental flight of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle or SSLV is scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2021 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
ISRO’s vast experience in Solid propulsion and heritage of proven design practices has enabled SSLV to be developed as a cost-effective, three-stage, all-solid launch vehicle with a payload capability of 500 kg to 500 km planar orbit or 300 kg to Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit.
SSLV is ideal for on-demand, quick turn-around launch of small satellites.
The major technologies developed as part of realization of SSLV are flexible nozzle control with electro-mechanical actuators for all stages, miniaturized avionics and a velocity trimming module in the upper stage for precise satellite injection, according to the Department of Space.
UNI
