The PSLV Full Form “Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle” which is a component of India’s space exploration initiatives, developed and managed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Serving as India’s third generation launch vehicle and the first to integrate stages the PSLV has proven to be an asset facilitating the nations satellite launches into diverse orbits. This piece explores the meaning, historical background, technical specifications and variations of the PSLV underscoring its importance in India’s space ventures.
What is PSLV Full Form?
The abbreviation PSLV stands for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, which’s a rocket developed by ISRO to launch Indian Remote Sensing satellites into orbits that follow the sun’s path. Moreover it has the capability to place satellites into orbits that are close to being geostationary.
History and Development
The idea behind PSLV was to enable India to launch its satellites reducing the need for foreign launch services. Development of the vehicle started in the 1980s. It had its first flight, on September 20 1993. While the initial launch had some issues, later missions proved PSLV to be an adaptable launch vehicle.
Technical Specifications
The PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle, alternating between solid and liquid propulsion systems. Here’s a breakdown of its major specifications:
- Height: 44.4 meters
- Diameter: 2.8 meters
- Launch Mass: 320 tonnes
- Stages: Four (solid and liquid propulsion systems)
Stage Details
1. First Stage (PS1):
- Propulsion: S139 solid rocket motor, supported by six solid strap-on boosters (in PSLV-XL variant).
- Thrust: 4800 kN.
2. Second Stage (PS2):
- Propulsion: Vikas engine, an Earth-storable liquid rocket engine developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
- Thrust: 799 kN.
3. Third Stage (PS3):
- Propulsion: Solid rocket motor for upper stage thrust after atmospheric phase.
- Thrust: 240 kN.
4. Fourth Stage (PS4):
- Propulsion: Two liquid engines, Earth-storable.
- Thrust: 7.3 kN x 2.
Variants of PSLV
ISRO has developed several variants of the PSLV to accommodate different mission requirements:
1. PSLV-G:
- A decommissioned variant with a capacity of 1,678 kg to a 622 km sun-synchronous orbit.
- Required 9 tonnes of fuel.
2. PSLV-CA:
- Introduced on April 23, 2007.
- Capable of launching 1,100 kg to a 622 km sun-synchronous orbit.
3. PSLV-XL:
- Features a 12-tonne propellant load.
- Used for launching Chandrayaan-1.
- Capacity of 1,800 kg to sun-synchronous orbit.
4. PSLV-DL:
- Introduced on January 24, 2019, with a 12-tonne propellant load.
- First flight: PSLV-C44.
5. PSLV-QL:
- First flight: PSLV-C45 on April 1, 2019.
Achievements and Milestones
PSLV has earned its reputation as “ISRO’s Workhorse” due to its consistent performance and reliability. Key achievements include:
- First Successful Launch: October 1994.
- Successful Launch Streak: 39 consecutive successful launches from 1994 to 2017.
- Satellite Launches: 48 Indian spacecraft and 209 foreign satellites between 1994 and 2017.
[Also Read: IC Full Form]
Conclusion
The PSLV has been instrumental in showcasing India as a player in the space sector. Its flexibility, dependability and capacity to transport payloads to orbits have solidified its importance for ISRO. As India advances in space exploration the PSLV symbolizes the nation’s expertise and aspirations.
