While the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) lifted off smoothly, the mission did not reach its intended destination on Sunday as the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) analysed the data.
While the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) lifted off smoothly from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the mission did not reach its intended destination on Sunday and the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) said that the satellites are no longer usable.
The Velocity Trimming Module (VTM), which inserts the satellite into their desired orbits, is being cited as the cause of failure as it did not fire in the terminal stage. The VTM was to fire up for 30 seconds but it was barely ignited for one.
The Indian space agency, while declaring that all stages performed well, had initially hinted at data loss and did not straight away declare the mission a success.
“SSLV-D1 placed the satellites into 356 km x 76 km elliptical orbit instead of 356 km circular orbit. Satellites are no longer usable. Issue is reasonably identified. Failure of a logic to identify a sensor failure and go for a salvage action,” Isro said in a statement.
Isro had in the morning said that the “Maiden flight of SSLV is completed. All stages performed as expected. Data loss is observed during the terminal stage. It is being analysed. Will be updated soon.”
An unstable orbit means that the satellite’s performance will be affected and there are chances that it could collide with others or in the worst-case scenario, crash back on the planet.
An unstable orbit means that the satellite’s performance will be affected and there are chances that it could collide with others or in the worst-case scenario, crash back on the planet.
