

Space Machines Company (SMC)'s second Optimus Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV), will launch on a mission designated Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research and Innovation). The mission will focus on debris management and sustainability, and will significantly advance Australia’s domestic space industry by combining Australian spacecraft capabilities with India's launch expertise. After separation, Optimus will perform a series of propulsive on-orbit maneuvers to inspect a space object in close proximity. It will then spend several months on orbit examining space debris to demonstrate affordable and accessible space sustainability technologies.
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (or SSLV) is a launch vehicle being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with payload capacity of 500 kg to Low Earth orbit or 300 kg to Sun synchronous orbit for launching small satellites, with the capability to support multiple orbital drop-offs.
India has two launch pads at the site. The First Launch Pad, operational since 1993, is used for Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle and formerly used by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.


The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of the Government of India headquartered in the city of Bangalore. Its vision is to "harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration."