PSLV or Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is an expendable launch system operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into sun synchronous orbits, a service that was, until the advent of the PSLV, commercially viable only through India's Cold War ally, Russia. PSLV can also launch small size satellites into Geo Transfer Orbits.

The vehicle consists of two solid-propellant stages (stage 1 and 3) and two liquid stages (2 and 4).

After some delays, the first launch of the PSLV occurred on 20 September 1993. Although all main engines performed as expected, an altitude control problem was reported in the second and third stages. After this initial setback, ISRO met success with the third developmental launch in 1996. Further successful launches followed in 1997, 1999, and 2001.

In September 2002, the 1060 kg KALPANA-1 was launched by PSLV-C4 to a GTO orbit (Geo Transfer Orbit). On 17 October 2003, the 1360kg Earth observing ResourceSat1 was launched by PSLV-C5.

External link

http://www.isro.org/pslv.htm