Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)

WHY IN NEWS?

The first Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) fully built by industry will be rolled out in 2022.

ABOUT PSLV

• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India.
• It is an expendable launch vehicle which can place 1,600kg remote sensing satellites into sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) and 1,050kg small-sized spacecraft into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
• It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
• The PSLV has four stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately.
• After its first successful launch in October 1994, PSLV emerged as the reliable and versatile workhorse launch vehicle of India with 39 consecutively successful missions by June 2017.
• During 1994-2017 period, the vehicle has launched 48 Indian satellites and 209 satellites for customers from abroad.
• Besides, the vehicle successfully launched two spacecraft – Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013 – that later traveled to Moon and Mars respectively.

Prelims Question

Q. Which of the following statements regarding Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is/are correct?
1. It has four stages with a cryogenic upper stage
2. It can place small satellites in geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question