PSLV

About PSLV

What is PSLV

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is an indigenous, third generation launch vehicle developed by ISRO. It comes in the category of medium-lift launchers with a reach up to the Geo Synchronous Transfer Orbit, Lower Earth Orbit, and Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit. PSLV operations are controlled from the Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota. PSLV is a four-stage rocket that combines solid and liquid propellants.

The first stage at the very bottom is solid fuelled having six strap-on solid rocket boosters wrapped around it. The second stage is liquid-fuelled whereas the third stage has a solid fuelled rocket motor. At the fourth stage, the launcher uses a liquid propellant for a boost in outer space.

PSLV continues to support Indian and foreign satellite launches, especially for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. It has undergone several improvements with each subsequent version, especially those involving thrust, efficiency as well as weight.

When was PSLV launched?

While studies to develop a vehicle capable of delivering 600 kg payload to 550 km Sun-synchronous orbit from SHAR began in 1978, the PSLV was first launched on September 20, 1993.

The first and second stages performed as expected, but an attitude control problem led to the collision of the second and third stages at separation, and the payload failed to reach orbit.

After this initial setback, the PSLV successfully completed its second mission in 1994.

PSLV's fourth mission suffered partial failure in 1997. By Nov 2014 the PSLV had launched 34 times with no further failures.

In November 2013, it was used to launch the Mars Orbiter Mission, India's first interplanetary probe.

The period between 1994-2017 saw the vehicle launch 48 Indian satellites and 209 foreign satellites

PSLV description

PSLV can be customised to fly in three configurations according to the mission requirements. It weighs 229,000, 296,000 or 320,000 kg. The launcher has a payload capacity of 1,050 kg for launching into the Geo Synchronous Transfer Orbit and 1,600 kg for the Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit.

PSLV is also used in its Core Alone configuration and an XL Version. Core Alone version is launched without six strap-on boosters and less propellant in its upper stage – a configuration specifically used in the missions featuring small payloads. The XL version is launched with extra propellant in the strap-on solid rocket boosters for increasing the payload capacity.

Important launches by PSLV

PSLV-C47 / Cartosat-3 Mission on November 27, 2019
PSLV-C46 Mission on May 22, 2019
PSLV-C45/EMISAT MISSION on April 1, 2019
PSLV-C44 on January 24, 2019
PSLV-C41/IRNSS-1I on April 12, 2018
PSLV-C40/Cartosat-2 Series Satellite Mission on January 12, 2018
PSLV-C30/AstroSat MISSION on September 28, 2015
PSLV-C14 / OCEANSAT-2 on September 23, 2009
PSLV-C4 /KALPANA-1: September 12, 2002
PSLV-C1 / IRS-1D: September 29, 1997
PSLV-D2 on October 15, 1994

The vehicle also successfully launched Chandrayaan-1 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2008 and 2013 respectively.

Isro's future plans for PSLV

ISRO plans to privatise the operations of PSLV and will work through a joint venture with private industries. The launches will be managed through Antrix Corporation.

Latest Updates on PSLV

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HAL-L&T consortium bags Rs 860-crore Isro contract for five PSLVs

Isro has been providing satellite launch services since 1990 through the PSLV, launching 319 customer satellites from 33 countries

Updated On: 05 Sep 2022 | 10:41 PM IST

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Budget 2020: Space sector share up 8% to Rs 13,479 cr to develop space tech

In launch vehicles, Isro expects to fly its first small rocket with a carrying capacity of 500-700 kg in the next few months

Updated On: 01 Feb 2020 | 5:10 PM IST

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Isro launches 14 satellites, marking success after Chandrayaan-2 setback

Cartosat-3, India's third-generation earth observation satellite, will be used for large-scale urban planning and to monitor coastal land, rural resources and infrastructure development

Updated On: 27 Nov 2019 | 3:30 PM IST

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Isro PSLV-C47 launched: All you need to know about Cartosat-3 and its uses

Cartosat-3 aims to address the increased demands for large scale urban planning, rural resource and infrastructure development, coastal land use and land cover

Updated On: 27 Nov 2019 | 3:30 PM IST

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Isro's new commercial arm invites private sector to make PSLV rockets

Space agency plans to stop procuring parts to assemble rockets, will leave the job entirely to private industry; first launch of PSLV completely built by industries planned for 2021

Updated On: 27 Nov 2019 | 3:30 PM IST

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Isro's commercial arm Antrix Corp clocked Rs 6,289 cr in last three years

239 commercial satellites were launched by the space agency's arm during this time

Updated On: 27 Nov 2019 | 3:31 PM IST

Premium

Isro launches new earth observation satellite; to be used for surveillance

Isro Chairman K Sivan said, 'This is an important mission for India'

Updated On: 27 Nov 2019 | 2:54 PM IST

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PSLV-C46 takes off successfully with India's earth observation satellite

Satellite 'RISAT-2B' will beef up India's surveillance capabilities in the sky and help track and tackle hostile activity, such as infiltration or gathering of militants

Updated On: 27 Nov 2019 | 3:31 PM IST