PSLV Full Form

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, commonly known as PSLV, plays a pivotal role as a launch system. Discover more about the capabilities and achievements of PSLV by reading further.

What is the full form of PSLV?

The full form of PSLV is Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The PSLV is designed to deliver satellites to Sun-synchronous orbits (SSO) at an altitude of 600-900 km, with a maximum payload capacity of 1750 kg to SSO. The PSLV has a number of variants, including the PSLV-G, PSLV-CA, PSLV-XL, and PSLV-DL, each with different performance capabilities.

The PSLV uses solid and liquid propellants in its four stages. The first and third stages use solid propellants, while the second and fourth stages use liquid propellants. The PSLV also has optional strap-on solid rocket boosters to enhance its performance.

• Designation: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
• Operator: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Capability: Medium-lift launch vehicle
• Configurations: Standard, Core Alone (CA), XL, DL, QL variants
• Enhanced Version: XL with larger strap-on boosters for increased payload
• Mission Versatility: Earth observation, navigation, interplanetary
• Reliability: High, with a successful track record
• Flexibility: Multiple configurations for diverse mission requirements

PSLV full form Hindi – PSLV की फुल फॉर्म क्या है?

The full form of PSLV in Hindi is “पोलर सैटेलाइट लॉन्च व्हीकल,” which translates to Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.

PSLV का पूर्ण रूप पोलर सैटेलाइट लॉन्च व्हीकल है।

P – पोलर (Polar)
S – सैटेलाइट (Satellite)
L – लॉन्च (Launch)
V – व्हीकल (Vehicle)

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle or PSLV is an advanced satellite launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Its main objective is to place satellites in sun-synchronous orbit. PSLV’s capability, reliability and flexibility make it globally renowned, making it a preferred launch vehicle for a variety of missions.

Characteristics of PSLV

• Height: Stands at 44.4 meters tall
• Diameter: Measures 2.8 meters across
• Lift-off Weight: Weighs 320 tonnes at launch
• SSO Payload Capacity: Capable of delivering up to 1,750 kg to Sun-Synchronous Orbit
• Propulsion Stages: Comprises 4 stages, alternating between solid and liquid propulsion technologies
• Configuration Options: Available in 4 variants – Core Alone (PSLV-CA), Dual Strap-on (PSLV-DL), Quad Strap-on (PSLV-QL), and the Enhanced (PSLV-XL)
• Moniker: Often referred to as the “Workhorse of ISRO” for its reliable and frequent launch success

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is proud of PSLV for its reliability and versatility in various space missions.

PSLV Variants

The PSLV comes in multiple variants: the standard (PSLV), the Core Alone (PSLV-CA), the XL version, and the DL and QL configurations. Each variant is designed with specific payload capacities and mission objectives in mind.

PSLV Standard

The standard PSLV configuration is a four-stage vehicle with alternating solid and liquid fuel stages. It’s designed to deploy satellites into polar orbits and has been the backbone of many of ISRO’s missions, including interplanetary probes.

• Stages: 4 (Alternating solid and liquid)
• Payload Capacity: Up to 1,750 kg to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)

PSLV Core Alone (PSLV-CA)

The PSLV-CA variant is a lighter version of the standard model, omitting the six strap-on boosters of the first stage. This version is used for launching smaller payloads or when the mission doesn’t require the full lift capacity of the standard PSLV.

• Stages: 4 (No strap-on boosters)
• Payload Capacity: Up to 1,100 kg to SSO

PSLV-XL

The PSLV-XL is an upgraded version of the standard PSLV, featuring larger strap-on boosters to increase the payload capacity. It was notably used for high-profile missions like Chandrayaan-1, India’s first lunar probe.

• Stages: 4 (Larger strap-on boosters)
• Payload Capacity: Up to 1,800 kg to SSO

PSLV-DL and PSLV-QL

These are relatively newer variants introduced to offer modular capability in terms of payload capacity. The DL version has two strap-on boosters, while the QL version comes with four, allowing for intermediate payload requirements.

• PSLV-DL Payload Capacity: Up to 1,500 kg to SSO
• PSLV-QL Payload Capacity: Up to 1,700 kg to SSO

Technical specification of PSLV

The PSLV, or Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, is famously referred to as “ISRO’s Workhorse” because of its consistent success in launching numerous satellites into Low Earth Orbit. Standing tall at a height of 600 km, the PSLV can deliver payloads weighing up to 1,750 kg to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits. The PSLV-XL version, in particular, boosts its lift-off thrust using six solid rocket strap-on engines in its first stage.

This rocket operates through a four-stage launch sequence, alternating between solid and liquid fuel propulsion systems. The first and third stages use solid rocket engines for a powerful initial thrust and high-altitude push, respectively. Meanwhile, the second and fourth stages are powered by liquid rocket engines, offering precision and control during the mid-flight and final insertion of the payload into orbit.

Stages of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)

• PS1 (First Stage – Thrust and Boosters):
  Utilizes an S139 solid rocket motor alongside six solid strap-on boosters, generating a collective maximum thrust of 4800 kN.
• PS2 (Second Stage – Propulsion – The Vikas Engine):
  Employs the Vikas engine, an earth-storable liquid rocket engine developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, with a thrust capability of up to 799 kN.
• PS3 (Third Stage – Solid Rocket Boost): Operates with another solid rocket engine, designed to push the vehicle beyond Earth’s atmosphere, providing a maximum thrust of 240 kN.
• PS4 (Fourth Stage – Precision Deployment): Features two earth-storable liquid engines, concluding the vehicle’s ascent with a combined thrust of 7.3 x 2 kN for precise payload deployment.