---
title: "SSLV: India's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle"
description: "The SSLV is ISRO's three-stage solid-fuel rocket lofting up to 500 kg to low Earth orbit. See how it differs from the PSLV and why launch-on-demand matters."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/small-satellite-launch-vehicle"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle is an Indian three-stage solid-fuel rocket developed by ISRO to place satellites up to 500 kilograms into low Earth orbit on demand.
- How does the SSLV differ from the PSLV?
- What is the Velocity Trimming Module on the SSLV?
- Has the SSLV completed its development programme?
- Why does ISRO want to transfer SSLV production to private industry?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle is an Indian three-stage solid-fuel rocket developed by ISRO to place satellites up to 500 kilograms into low Earth orbit on demand.

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## Research Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) like a delegate

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## Timeline

1. 7 August 2022

   The maiden flight, SSLV-D1, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on carrying the EOS-02 microsatellite and the AzaadiSAT cubesat bu…

2. 10 February 2023

   The second developmental flight, SSLV-D2, on successfully delivered EOS-07, the U.S.-built Janus-1, and the AzaadiSAT-2 into orbit.

3. 16 August 2024

   The third developmental flight, SSLV-D3, on placed EOS-08 into orbit, completing the development programme and clearing the way for technology transfer to i…

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Example

ISRO launched the maiden SSLV-D1 mission from Sriharikota on 7 August 2022 carrying EOS-02 and the student-built AzaadiSAT; a terminal-phase anomaly rendered the orbit unstable and both payloads were lost.

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