With 11 launches in 2022, ISRO is all set to rule space

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ISRO is all set for 11 launches in 2022 to make up for the loss of two years due to Covid. 8 launches are scheduled in June alone with others in January, March and September.

The long-awaited mini launch rocket SSLV will be launched in 2022. With this, there is a huge potential for commercial launches. India's proudest Aditya L-One solar mission will be launched in 2022. However, the manned space mission Gaganyaan launch is not listed.

Eleven launch windows have been booked, but more will be launched if the window becomes available, ISRO sources said.

Due to Covid, there were no significant launches in 2020 and 2021. Only GSAT 30, EOS 01 and CMS 01 were launched in 2020. The EOS 03 satellite was launched in August 2021 but was unsuccessful. Prior to this, launches had not taken place in 1998 alone. There were five launches in 2013, 14 in 2015, four in 15, eight in 16,17,19 and nine in 2018.

Launches in 2022

(Month, Rocket, Satellite)

January: PSLV: RI SAT1A

March: GSLV: IDRSS1

June: GSLV Mark 3: GSAT32

June: GSLV Mark 3: GSAT2

June: GSLV: IDRSS2

June: PSLV: RI SAT 2A

June: SSLV: D1 Microsoft 2A

June: PSLV: OceanSat3

June: SSLV: Black Sky D2

June: GSLV Mark 3: GSAT20

September: PSLV XL: Aditya L1

SSLV

A small rocket developed at VSSC at a cost of Rs 169.07 crore

The total length of the four-part rocket is 34 meters. Two metres in diameter. Weight-120 tons

The first three parts are solid fuel and the fourth part is liquid fuel

Satellites weighing up to 500 kg can be launched into orbit at an altitude of 500 km

It will make its debut with the launch of the 142 kg Microsoft 2A

Just Rs 30 crore for launch

The advantage of SSLV is time saving and low cost for manufacturing. The launch costs just Rs 30 crore. PSLV has a launch cost of Rs 200 crore, GSLV Mark Rs 390-600 crore and GSLV Mark-3 Rs 367-650 crore. It takes six people 72 hours to build this mini rocket. It takes 600 people two months to make a PSLV. The carrying capacity of the PSLV is 1750 kg.