The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a three-stage launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), designed to place small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It is a small-lift rocket, capable of carrying a payload of up to 500 kg to a 500 km planar orbit.
The SSLV was conceived to solve the problem of high cost and long waiting periods for small satellites, which were previously launched as secondary payloads on larger rockets like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Its design drivers include low cost, minimal launch infrastructure, and a rapid turnaround time, allowing for assembly in as little as 72 hours. The maiden developmental flight, SSLV-D1, took place on August 7, 2022.
The vehicle operates with three solid propulsion stages and a terminal, liquid-propelled Velocity Trimming Module (VTM). The VTM is crucial for precisely adjusting the satellite's velocity and enabling the capability for multi-orbital drop-offs.
The SSLV is central to India's strategy to capture a share of the global commercial small satellite market, connecting it to the commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). The development phase was officially completed with the successful third flight, SSLV-D3, on August 16, 2024. The most significant recent change is the transfer of the SSLV technology to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in June 2025, following an agreement with ISRO, NSIL, and IN-SPACe. This move, aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, shifts the responsibility for manufacturing, marketing, and launching the SSLV to the private sector, allowing ISRO to focus on advanced research.