Why in News?
ISRO Chairman announced that the first PSLV developed entirely by a private industry consortium led by HAL and L&T will be launched in February 2026, marking a major step in space sector privatisation, with nearly 80-85% systems sourced from Indian industry.
Description:
- ISRO’s 3rd generation, expendable launch vehicle.
- First Indian launch vehicle fitted with liquid stages.
- First successful operational launch – 1994.
Orbit Capability:
- Designed mainly for Earth Observation / Remote Sensing satellites.
- Can launch satellites into:
- SSO (Sun Synchronous) → Main (up to 1750 kg @ 600 km)
- LEO
- Sub-GTO & small payloads into GTO
Major Achievements:
- Chandrayaan-1 (2008)
- Mars Orbiter Mission (2013)
- Astrosat
- Multi-satellite launch capability (record missions)
Called “Workhorse of ISRO” due to high reliability & successful streaks.
| Stage | Type | Fuel |
| PS1 | Solid | + Strap-on boosters |
| PS2 | Liquid | Vikas Engine |
| PS3 | Solid | High thrust upper-atmospheric boost |
| PS4 | Liquid | Final orbital injection (can restart multiple times) |
PS4 used as POEM:
- POEM = PSLV Orbital Experimental Module
- Users spent the PS4 stage as a stabilized experiment platform.
PSLV Variants:
| Variant | Strap-ons | Payload to SSPO (~600 km) |
| PSLV-CA (Core Alone) | None | ~1019 kg |
| PSLV-G (Standard) | 6 | – |
| PSLV-XL | 6 extra large strap-ons | ~1750 kg |
| PSLV-QL | 4 strap-ons | ~1523 kg |
| PSLV-DL | 2 strap-ons | Used for dual satellite launches |
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