SSLV-D2, the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) new rocket successfully placed three satellites into the intended orbit shortly after its launch from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on Friday morning.
The rocket soared into the skies from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre with three mini, micro, and nano satellites at 9:18 am and placed them into a 450 km circular orbit around the Earth during its 15-minute flight, reports NDTV.
"Mission is accomplished successfully. SSLV-D2 placed EOS-07, Janus-1, and AzaadiSAT-2 into their intended orbits," the space agency tweeted from its official handle announcing about the successful launch.
The three satellites that were placed into orbit are ISRO's EOS-07, US-based firm Antaris' Janus-1 and Chennai-based space start-up SpaceKidz's AzaadiSAT-2, an 8.7 kg satellite developed by 750 girl students from across India.
The new vehicle was developed to capture the emerging small and microsatellite commercial market.
It was the second developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle by the space agency. The first test flight of SSLV, on August 9, had ended in partial failure as the rocket failed to inject its satellite payload in their intended orbits.
SSLV caters to the launch of up to 500 kg satellites to low earth orbits on a 'launch-on-demand' basis. It provides low-cost access to space, offers low turn-around time and flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, and demands minimal launch infrastructure.
