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Science and Technology

Launch Vehicles

Space & Defence: Indian Space Programme, Satellites, Launch Vehicles, Remote Sensing, Missiles, Drone Technology, Chemical/Biological Weapons

Paper II · Unit 2 Section 4 of 12 0 PYQs 32 min
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Launch Vehicles

3.1 SLV and ASLV (Retired)

SLV-3 (Satellite Launch Vehicle) was India's first orbital launch vehicle — a 4-stage solid rocket with a total of 4 flights between 1979 and 1983. It was led by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and successfully placed Rohini-1 in orbit (1980), becoming the precursor to PSLV.

ASLV (Augmented SLV) was a 5-stage solid rocket with 4 flights (1987–1994). It had limited payload capability and was primarily used to test new technologies.

3.2 PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)

PSLV is India's most reliable and versatile launch vehicle.

Configuration

  • 4-stage alternating solid-liquid propulsion: Stage 1 (solid, PS1) + 6 strap-on motors → Stage 2 (liquid, Vikas engine) → Stage 3 (solid, PS3) → Stage 4 (liquid, PS4)
  • Payload capacity: ~3.8 t to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), ~1.75 t to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), ~1.2 t to Geo-Transfer Orbit (GTO)

Variants

  • PSLV-G (Generic): 4 solid strap-ons
  • PSLV-CA (Core Alone): No strap-ons; lighter missions
  • PSLV-XL: 6 extended strap-ons; maximum payload
  • PSLV-DL/QL: 2 and 4 strap-ons respectively; recent variants

Notable PSLV Missions

  • PSLV-C5 (2003): First operational PSLV flight using PS4 liquid stage
  • PSLV-C37 (February 15, 2017): World record — launched 104 satellites in a single flight (surpassing Russia's 37-satellite record)
  • PSLV-C11 (2008): Chandrayaan-1
  • PSLV-C25 (2013): Mars Orbiter Mission
  • PSLV-C57 (2023): Aditya-L1

3.3 GSLV and LVM3

GSLV Mark II

GSLV Mark II uses a 3-stage configuration: solid (S139) + liquid + cryogenic upper stage (CUS). Cryogenic technology uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen cooled to −183°C and −253°C respectively — highly efficient but technically complex. India independently mastered cryogenic technology (ISRO's CE-7.5 engine) after Russia and the USA blocked technology transfer in 1993. Payload: ~2.5 t to GTO, ~5 t to LEO.

LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3, formerly GSLV-Mk III)

LVM3 is India's most powerful operational rocket. Key specifications:

  • Configuration: Twin L110 liquid strap-ons + S200 solid core + C25 cryogenic upper stage
  • Payload: 4 t to GTO, 10 t to LEO
  • First development flight: June 2017 (GSLV-Mk III D1)
  • Commercial debut: OneWeb constellation (36 satellites each flight, 2022–2023)
  • Chandrayaan-3 launch vehicle (July 2023); will carry Gaganyaan crewed mission

SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle)

SSLV is India's newest launch vehicle, with its first successful orbital deployment in 2023. It is a 3-stage all-solid rocket targeting the commercial smallsat market. Key features:

  • Payload: 500 kg to LEO
  • Turnaround: 7 days (vs. months for PSLV)
  • Cost: ~$3–4 million per launch (vs. $15–20 million for PSLV)

NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle) — Upcoming

NGLV is under development with a target capacity of ~10 t to GTO and semi-reusable design (first stage recovery like SpaceX Falcon 9).