What is PSLV?
- PSLV = Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, designed to launch satellites into sun-synchronous polar orbits (SSPO).
- It is a four-stage rocket with sequentially firing engines, shedding stages to reduce weight during ascent.
Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology)
Technical specifications:
- First stage: Uses HTPB (hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) fuel, peak thrust ~4.8 MN; XL version adds 6 strap-on boosters for extra thrust.
- Second stage: Powered by Vikas engine using unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (fuel) and nitrogen tetroxide (oxidiser), thrust ~0.8 MN.
- Third stage: Uses HTPB fuel again.
- Fourth stage: Uses monomethylhydrazine and mixed oxides of nitrogen with two engines.
PSLV-C61 mission specifics:
- Launched May 18, 2023, at 5:59 am carrying EOS-09 satellite intended for SSPO.
- Mission ended in failure due to a problem in the third stage.
Cause of failure:
- ISRO chairman V. Narayanan revealed that chamber pressure in the third-stage motor casing dropped during flight.
- Loss of pressure led to mission failure.
Next steps:
- ISRO is investigating the exact cause of pressure loss.
- Plans to reattempt the launch with a replacement EOS-09 satellite.
Significance of PSLV:
- Workhorse rocket for ISRO, reliable for multiple types of missions (earth observation, navigation, interplanetary).
- XL configuration adds thrust capacity via boosters to carry heavier payloads.
- Despite rare failures, PSLV remains crucial to India’s space ambitions.
