Reference:

• On March 17, 2025, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that the first launch of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) will take place in 2027 from the Kulasekarapattinam Space Centre located in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.
• This announcement marks a significant milestone in ISRO's growing capacity and India's space program.

Kulasekarapattinam Space Centre:

• Second Launch Complex: The space center being established in Kulasekarapattinam will be ISRO's second launch complex after Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
• Timeline: According to Narayanan, all facilities required for the launch will be operational within the next 24 months, and the first launch will occur in two years.
• Infrastructure: This is ISRO's second launch port, being built on 2,233 acres of land.
• Project Cost: The project costs approximately ₹950 crore and is expected to be ready by 2026.
• Geographical Advantage: Since the site is located near the coastline, it is ideal for launching small satellites. Its location is more favorable for launch vehicles like SSLV.

SSLV Program:

• The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a small satellite launch vehicle developed by ISRO to place small satellites in low Earth orbit at low cost and with short turnaround time.
• Size and Weight: The SSLV is 34 meters in length, 2 meters in diameter, and weighs approximately 120 tons.
• Payload Capacity: It can place satellites up to 500 kg into a 500 km planar orbit.
• Launch Flexibility: SSLV is designed for low-cost, short preparation time, the ability to accommodate multiple satellites, and minimal launch infrastructure requirements.

Achievements:

• Initial Launch: The first SSLV flight took place in August 2022, but it failed due to a malfunction in the upper stage.
• Successful Launch: The second flight in February 2023 was successful, deploying three satellites into orbit.
• Recent Launch: In August 2024, the SSLV-D3 mission successfully launched the EOS-8 Earth observation satellite.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
• India's national space agency, engaged in space science, technology, and applications.

Key Milestones:

• 1962: Formation of Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR)
• 1969: Formation of ISRO, replacing INCOSPAR
• 1975: Launch of India's first satellite 'Aryabhata'
• 1980: Successful launch of 'Rohini' satellite by the indigenous SLV-3 vehicle

Major Achievements:

• 2008: Chandrayaan-1 mission discovered water on the Moon
• 2014: Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) successfully entered Mars' orbit, making India the first Asian country to do so
• 2023: Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed near the Moon's south pole
• Solar Mission: Aditya-L1 (2023) launched to Lagrange Point-1 (L1) of the Sun

Current and Future Plans:

• Gaganyaan Mission: India’s first human spaceflight mission
• Space Station: Plan to establish an independent space station by 2035
• Chandrayaan-4: Another Moon mission with a rover and lander
• Chandrayaan-5: Recently approved by the Indian government