Imagine a rocket as tall as a ten-storey building, but designed specifically to carry small satellites—the kind that help us with weather forecasting, GPS navigation, and internet connectivity. This is India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), for short, and it just got significantly better.

The Indian Space Research Organisation recently tested an upgraded version of this rocket’s third stage on December 30, 2025, at Sriharikota. Think of a rocket stage like a section of a multi-stage firework: each part does its job and then falls away, allowing the next section to take over. The third stage is particularly crucial because it gives satellites that final, powerful push, adding up to 4 kilometres per second of speed to place them precisely in their intended orbit.

So, what makes SSLV special? “Unlike massive rockets that cost hundreds of crores, one SSLV launch costs only Rs 30-35 crore, roughly equivalent to $3.5-4 million. This affordability opens up space access to smaller organisations, universities, and companies who want to launch their own satellites. The rocket stands 34 metres tall with a 2-metre width and weighs about 120 tonnes at liftoff. It can carry up to 500kg of satellites to Low Earth Orbit—that’s the zone about 500 kilometres above our heads where many communication and observation satellites operate. Even more impressively, it can drop off satellites at multiple different orbits in a single trip, like a space bus making several stops,” said space analyst Girish Linganna.

The rocket works through four stages. The first three use solid fuel, which is like a giant firecracker; once lit, it burns steadily until finished. The first stage, powered by the massive S85 motor, carries 87,000kg of solid fuel and burns for 94 seconds, providing the enormous thrust needed to escape Earth’s gravity. The second stage, with its S7 motor and 7,700kg of fuel, keeps pushing for 113 seconds. Then comes the newly upgraded third stage with 4,500kg of fuel burning for 107 seconds.

Recently, engineers at ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre redesigned this third stage using a carbon-epoxy motor casing instead of the older material. Carbon fibre, the same material used in expensive racing cars and bicycles, is incredibly strong yet lightweight. “By making the rocket’s structure lighter, what engineers call reducing “inert mass,” the rocket can now carry 90 extra kilogrammes of payload. That might not sound like much, but in space terms, every kilogramme counts. Those 90 kilogrammes could mean an additional small satellite or more fuel for the satellites already aboard,” pointed out Linganna.

The improvements don’t stop there. The nozzle, the cone-shaped opening from which hot gases escape, has been redesigned to flare outward more efficiently. Picture how a garden hose with a spray nozzle shoots water farther than an open pipe. The new nozzle design lets exhaust gases expand more completely, generating better thrust with the same amount of fuel. The igniter, which kickstarts the motor, has also been improved for more reliable firing. Additionally, the nozzle can now swivel using a fault-tolerant electromechanical system. This means electric motors adjust the nozzle’s direction, and even if one component fails, backup systems ensure continued operation—critical when there’s no mechanic available 100 kilometres above the Earth.

During the recent ground test, the upgraded motor was fired for 108 seconds while attached firmly to the ground. Engineers measured 233 different parameters—pressure, thrust, temperature, vibration, and actuator performance—all in real-time. Everything performed exactly as predicted, giving the green light for actual flights.

SSLV’s journey hasn’t been entirely smooth. Like any new technology, its first launch on August 7, 2022, failed when satellites were lost due to a final-stage problem. But ISRO engineers identified and fixed the issues. The second launch on February 10, 2023, succeeded, as did the third on August 16, 2024. With two successes out of three launches, SSLV currently has a 66 per cent success rate—respectable for a vehicle still in its developmental phase.

The rocket’s future looks promising. In June 2025, the government announced that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would take over SSLV’s production, marketing, and operations. HAL paid Rs 511 crore in stages for this technology transfer. Within two years, HAL will manufacture these rockets independently and offer commercial launch services, turning India’s space programme into a profit-generating venture.

The upgraded SSLV means India can launch small satellites faster, cheaper, and more reliably. Countries and companies worldwide need frequent access to space for Earth observation, communications, and scientific research. With reduced costs and improved performance, India positions itself as a competitive player in the global commercial space launch market. The 90-kilogramme payload increase might seem modest, but multiply that across dozens of annual launches, and it represents substantial additional capacity.

For a rapidly developing nation investing heavily in technology and innovation, having an efficient, affordable rocket isn’t just about prestige; it’s about practical capability. Whether launching navigation satellites for farmers, communication satellites for remote areas, or Earth observation satellites for disaster management, SSLV provides the tool to do it quickly and economically. The recent upgrade ensures this tool works even better, making space more accessible for everyone.