The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 launched ISRO’s most recent Earth observation satellite, “EOS-08,” from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Shriharikota today at 9:17 a.m.
The main goals of the EOS-08 mission are to design and develop a microsatellite, as well as to incorporate new technologies needed for operational satellites in the future and create payload sensors that are compatible with the microsatellite bus.
EOS-08, which is based on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, is carrying three payloads: the SiC UV Dosimeter, the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), and the Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR). For uses like satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, fire detection, volcanic activity observation, and industrial and power plant disaster monitoring, the EOIR payload is made to take pictures in the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands both during the day and at night.
The GNSS-R payload showcases the potential applications of GNSS-R-based remote sensing, including analysis of ocean surface winds, evaluation of soil moisture, cryosphere research across the Himalayan region, flood detection, and detection of inland waterbodies. In the meantime, the SiC UV Dosimeter acts as a high-dose alert sensor for gamma radiation and keeps an eye on UV irradiance at the Crew Module’s viewport during the Gaganyaan Mission.
With a mission duration of one year, the spacecraft is configured for operation in a Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 475 km and an inclination of 37.4°. The satellite weighs around 175.5 kg and has a power output of about 420 W. It communicates with the launch vehicle SSLV-D3.
The Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package, an Integrated Avionics system that integrates several tasks into a single, effective unit, is one example of the important advancements in satellite mainframe systems that EOS-08 represents. Up to 400 Gb of data storage is supported by this system’s cold redundant systems, which are built utilizing evaluation boards and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The satellite also has an integrated battery, an M-PAA (phased array antenna), a flexible solar panel, a Micro-DGA (dual gimbal antenna), an embedded structural panel, and an embedded PCB, all of which are essential parts of the onboard technology demonstration.
The satellite’s Antenna Pointing Mechanisms use a miniature design that allows it to rotate at a speed of six degrees per second and point with an accuracy of one degree. The flexible solar panel, which features a foldable solar panel substrate, GFRP tube, and CFRP honeycomb rigid end panel, improves power generation and structural integrity. The tiny phased array antenna further improves communication capabilities. Because of its excellent heat conductivity of 350 W/mK, pyrolytic graphite sheet diffuser plates are lightweight and useful for a variety of satellite applications. Moreover, a hinge-based fixture is used by the EOS-08 mission to integrate housekeeping panels in a novel way that drastically shortens the Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) phase.
Using pulse shaping and frequency compensated modulation (FCM) for X-band data transmitters, the EOS-08 mission advances satellite technology by integrating new cutting-edge methods. The SSTCR-based charging and bus regulation used by the satellite’s battery management system successively adds or removes strings at a frequency of 6 Hz.
The mission’s usage of a Nano-Star Sensor for Microsat Applications and its methods for fabricating solar cells demonstrate its efforts to become more indigenous. Reaction wheel isolators are also used to reduce vibrations in the inertial system, and TTC and SPS applications use a single antenna interface. To address the thermal qualities of COTS components, materials including AFE BGA, Kintex FPGA, Germanium Black Kapton, and STAMET (Si-Al Alloy) Black Kapton are used to improve thermal management. The mission’s dedication to cutting-edge mission management is further evidenced by the auto-launch pad initialization feature.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today congratulated the scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the successful launch of new Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3.
The Prime Minister posted on X: “A remarkable milestone! Congratulations to our scientists and industry for this feat. It is a matter of immense joy that India now has a new launch vehicle. The cost-effective SSLV will play an important role in space missions and will also encourage private industry. My best wishes to @isro, @INSPACeIND, @NSIL_India and the entire space industry.”
