After a data loss during the final phase, the first flight of an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), rocket carrying two satellites was canceled.
IMAGE: The Economic Times
Scientists and engineers at ISRO are currently trying to determine if the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), weighing 120 tonnes, was capable of putting the satellites into a stable orbit.
This is the only way to declare the mission a success.
"SSLVD1 performed at all stages as expected. Some data loss occurs during the final phase of the mission.
"We are analyzing data to determine the outcome of this mission about achieving stable orbit," said S Somanath, ISRO chairman.
The SSLV is carrying Earth Observation Satellite –02 and a copassenger satellite AzaadiSAT.
AzaadiSAT
These satellites were developed by students of'Space Kidz India, an aerospace organization that aims at providing basic knowledge and understanding of space to government school students.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of independence, 75 payloads were built by 750 students. The SSLV-D1 launch was witnessed by the girl students who built the satellite.
This SSLV launch was attended by three groups from our school. This was a great opportunity. "We worked very hard and today we will see the launch of AzaadiSAT satellite," Shreya, a student in Telangana was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.
The SSLV stands 34m taller than the PSLV, and its vehicle diameter is two metres, compared to the PSLV's 2.8 metres.