π Topic 05 of 6 Β· Chapter 01 Β· Space Technology & ISRO
PSLV, GSLV & LVM3 β Launch Vehicles of India
PSLV workhorse, GSLV cryogenic, LVM3 heaviest rocket, SSLV β complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
π ISRO’s Launch Vehicles
| Vehicle | Full Name | Stages | Payload (LEO) | Key Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSLV | Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle | 4 stages (solid-liquid alternating) | 3.8 tonnes | Remote sensing, navigation, interplanetary missions; Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan |
| GSLV Mk II | Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle | 3 stages (cryogenic upper stage) | 5 tonnes | Communication satellites (INSAT, GSAT) |
| LVM3 (GSLV Mk III) | Launch Vehicle Mark 3 | 3 stages (cryogenic upper stage) | 10 tonnes | Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, Gaganyaan, OneWeb satellites |
| SSLV | Small Satellite Launch Vehicle | 3 stages (all solid) | 500 kg | Small satellites; quick turnaround; low cost |
π PSLV β “Workhorse of ISRO”
- Most reliable and frequently used launch vehicle
- 4-stage engine: alternating solid and liquid propellant stages
- First successful flight: October 15, 1994
- Success rate: ~95% (50+ successful missions)
- PSLV-C37 (2017) = world record = launched 104 satellites in single mission
- Used for: Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, Cartosat, IRS, RISAT, IRNSS/NAVIC satellites
- Variants: PSLV-G (standard), PSLV-CA (core alone), PSLV-XL (extra large strap-ons)
π GSLV & Cryogenic Engine
- GSLV uses a cryogenic engine in its upper stage β liquid hydrogen (LHβ) + liquid oxygen (LOX)
- India developed its own cryogenic engine (CE-7.5) after USA refused to transfer technology
- Mastering cryogenic technology was a major achievement for ISRO
- GSLV is used for heavier communication satellites in geostationary orbit
π LVM3 (GSLV Mk III) β India’s Heaviest Rocket
- India’s most powerful rocket; can carry 10 tonnes to LEO, 4 tonnes to GTO
- Used for: Chandrayaan-2 (2019), Chandrayaan-3 (2023), Gaganyaan (upcoming)
- Launched OneWeb satellites commercially (2022, 2023) β 36 satellites each time
- Crew module for Gaganyaan will be launched by LVM3
- Renamed from GSLV Mk III to LVM3 in 2022
β Key Facts β Launch Vehicles:
β’ PSLV = “Workhorse of ISRO” = most reliable = 4-stage = Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan
β’ PSLV-C37 = world record = 104 satellites in single mission (2017)
β’ LVM3 = heaviest rocket = Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, Gaganyaan
β’ Cryogenic engine = LHβ + LOX = India developed indigenously
β’ SSLV = small satellites = quick turnaround = low cost
β’ PSLV = “Workhorse of ISRO” = most reliable = 4-stage = Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan
β’ PSLV-C37 = world record = 104 satellites in single mission (2017)
β’ LVM3 = heaviest rocket = Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, Gaganyaan
β’ Cryogenic engine = LHβ + LOX = India developed indigenously
β’ SSLV = small satellites = quick turnaround = low cost