Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV): - YUVA Competitive Academy

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India.
It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
After its first successful launch in October 1994, PSLV emerged as a reliable and versatile workhorse launch vehicle of India.
The vehicle has launched numerous Indian and foreign customer satellites.
Besides, the vehicle successfully launched two spacecraft “Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013″that later travelled to Moon and Mars respectively.
Chandrayaan-1 and MOM were feathers in the hat of PSLV.
The launch of PSLV-C48 marks the 50th Launch of PSLV.
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
PSLV earned its title ‘the workhorse of ISRO’ through consistently delivering various satellites into low earth orbits, particularly the IRS Series of satellites
Due to its unmatched reliability, PSLV has also been used to launch various satellites into Geosynchronous and Geostationary orbits, like satellites from the IRNSS Constellation
The PSLV is capable of placing multiple payloads into orbit, thus multi-payload adaptors are used in the payload fairing.
The payload performance of the vehicle and mission flexibility is evident from the challenging missions where multi-orbit and multi-satellite missions are accomplished.
The long string of consecutive successes and multi-satellite launch capability has reinforced the status of PSLV as a reliable, versatile and affordable launcher in the global market.
It is primarily designed to place satellites into Sun-synchronous polar orbits (SSPOs), which are ideal for Earth observation missions.
Each stage of PSLV is powered by a different engine and propellant combination, enabling it to carry medium-weight payloads to a variety of orbits with high precision.

Configuration and Design

The PSLV has four stages, with alternate solid and liquid propulsion systems:
1. First Stage:
  - Uses HTPB-based solid propellant (Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene).
  - In the XL configuration, it is supported by six strap-on boosters that enhance the initial thrust.
  - Capable of generating a peak thrust of 4.8 MegaNewtons (MN).
2. Second Stage: Powered by the Vikas engine, which uses a liquid fuel combination:
  - Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel
  - Nitrogen Tetroxide (N₂O₄) as oxidiser
  - Generates a thrust of approximately 0.8 MN.
3. Third Stage: Reverts to solid propulsion, again using HTPB-based fuel.
4. Fourth Stage: Utilises two liquid engines burning Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON).