Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is known as the ‘Workhorse’ LV of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). From its maiden flight in September 1993 to its present January 2018 launch, PSLV has emerged as one of the world’s most reliable LVs since;
1. It is capable of delivering payloads of 1425 kg into geosynchronous orbit, i.e. at an altitude of 35,786 kms above the earth’s equator. It is also capable of delivering payloads of 1750 kg into Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO), i.e. at an altitude of 600 km above the earth.
2. PSLV had been chosen for India’s maiden Chandrayaan-1 & Mangalyaan-1 missions. On both occasions, PSLV had been successful in putting the satellites in their intended orbits in the first attempt itself. India’s own GPS system, NAVIC had been placed in orbit via PSLV
3. From its first to its latest launches, the PSLV has been successful 39 out of 42 times.
PSLV has helped India commercially and technologically as;
1. PSLV-C37 launch successfully carried and placed 104 satellites in Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), a world record beating Russia’s earlier record of 37 satellites. Antrix Corporation Ltd (ACL), ISRO’s commercial arm, signed contracts with the space agency heads of the 6 nations whose satellites ISRO launched in this mission, thereby bringing foreign money into India. PSLV’s cost is also less than all LVs in the world at 12.5 million USD. ACL has earned more than 100 million USD by launching foreign satellites
2. PSLV has been successful in launching small satellites notably Cubesats whose weight ranges from 0.01 kg-500 kg. PSLV’s heaviest payload has been RISAT-1, weighing 1850 kg.
3. PSLV uses a 4 stage solid and liquid propulsion system exhibiting optimum pitch, yaw and roll capabilities.
PSLV thus is one of India’s best launchers.
