AMARAVATI: ISRO’s small satellite launch vehicle(SSLV-D2) succeeds on its second attempt from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. ISROs first mission of 2023 was launched at about 9:18 am today. The SSLV-D2 with three satellites rose to height in precision and reached a 450km circular orbit in just 15.24 minutes. ISROs EOS-07, Space Kidz India in Chennai developed AzaadiSAT-2, and Janus-1 built by Antaris in the USA were the three satellites guided by the SSLV-D2 to a circular orbit. The total weight of the satellite is 334kg whereas the EOS-7 weighs around 156.3kg.

The first attempt to place these three satellites in the intended orbit skidded away from the target and forlorn conclusions were made. But the cojones to go for a second try on the same project are unprecedented in the history of ISRO. During the partial failure on the first try, the decisive juncture was a trembling shake in the third round of the launch that made the rocket drift from precision.

"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 the successful launch.