Micro and Small satellite Missions by ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV): Provisions and Opportunities
- Paper number
IAC-07-B4.5.01
- Author
Mr. Radhakrishnan Durairaj, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Coauthor
Mr. P.S. Sastry, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Coauthor
Mr. Narayana Moorthy N, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), VSSC, India
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) the workhorse of ISRO’s space transportation system, has attained the operational status and has demonstrated the capability for launching 1.5 tonnne class Remote sensing satellites into Polar Sun- Synchronous Orbit (SSO). As on date, PSLV has successfully completed ten missions, which include three developmental flights and seven operational flights. Over the years, the success rate of PSLV has been remarkable, with the last nine missions being consecutively successful. Starting with a payload capability of 800 kg in its first developmental flight, the capability of PSLV has been systematically improved to 1500 kg in its tenth mission. These improvements have been made possible by incorporating improved propellant loading and efficiency of the stages, adopting composite structures, optimization in strapon firing sequence, miniaturization of avionics packages etc. PSLV is under production to cater to all national remote-sensing satellites and also for potential commercial opportunities. The capability of PSLV to carry 1000 kg to Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) has also been established with the launch of KALPANA –1. In order to utilize the spare capacity whenever available, various payload accommodation strategies have been evolved over the years. These include provision for carrying up to two micro satellites on the vehicle equipment bay, or two spacecrafts of around 500 –600 kg using the Dual Launch Adapter or a possible mix of micro and mini satellites. The first one has been accomplished in the fifth mission of PSLV wherein it carried two micro satellites in a piggyback mode- KITSAT- 3 of Korea and TUBSAT of Germany. In the subsequent mission, when the micro satellites PROBA for Belgium and BIRD for Germany were launched along with the primary spacecrafts, the multiple orbit capability of PSLV was also demonstrated when PROBA was injected into Elliptical SSO. In the just concluded tenth flight, PSLV has successfully launched 4 satellites in a single mission, which included two national satellites in a Dual Launch mode in addition to two micro satellites LAPAN- TUBSAT of Indonesia and Nano- Pehuensat of Argentina in a piggy back mode. In the coming months, PSLV is slated to launch small satellites belonging to International customers in a dedicated launch mode. The paper highlights in brief, the success story of PSLV towards carrying out commercial auxiliary and small satellite missions. The paper also covers the details on the interfaces, payload envelopes, environmental levels and the future launch opportunities.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-B4.5.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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