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PSLV
PSLV is an orbital launch vehicle currently flying operated by ISRO of Bengaluru, India, 44.4 m tall, 3,800 kg to low Earth orbit, 4 stages.
| Operator | ISRO · Bengaluru, India |
|---|---|
| Status | Currently flying |
| First flight | 1993 |
| Height | 44.4 m |
| Diameter | 2.8 m |
| Liftoff mass | 320 t |
| Liftoff thrust | 4,800 kN |
| Stages | 4 |
| Payload to LEO | 3,800 kg |
| Payload to SSO | 1,750 kg |
| Engines | S139 solid · Vikas · solid third · liquid fourth |
| Propellant | Alternating solid and hypergolic stages |
| Reuse | Expendable — nothing is recovered |
| Launch sites | Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota |
The workhorse: Mars Orbiter Mission, Chandrayaan-1, and once 104 satellites on a single flight. Alternating solid and liquid stages is unusual and it works.
About ISRO
Delivers interplanetary missions on budgets that other agencies spend on studies, and is now opening launch to Indian industry. Founded 1969. Official site.