Satellite Launch Vehicle

Satellite Launch Vehicle
FunctionSmall-lift launch vehicle
ManufacturerISRO
Country of originIndia
Size
Height22 m (72 ft)
Diameter1 m (3.3 ft)
Mass17,000 kg (37,000 lb)
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Altitude400 km (250 mi)
Mass400 kg (880 lb)
Associated rockets
Derivative workASLV, PSLV
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesSatish Dhawan Space Centre
Total launches4
Success(es)2
Failure(s)1
Partial failure(s)1
First flight10 August 1979
Last flight17 April 1983
Type of passengers/cargoRohini
First stage
Propellant mass8.6 t (19,000 lb)
Powered by1 solid
Maximum thrust450 kN (100,000 lbf)
Specific impulse253 seconds (2.48 km/s)
Burn timeseconds
PropellantPBAN (Polybutadiene acrylonitrile) Solid[1]
Second stage
Propellant mass3 tonnes
Powered by1 solid
Maximum thrust20 tonnes
Specific impulse267 sec
Burn time40 seconds
PropellantPBAN (Polybutadine Acrylo Nitrate) Solid
Third stage
Propellant mass1 tonnes
Powered by1 solid
Maximum thrust6.3 tonnes
Specific impulse277 sec
Burn time45 seconds
PropellantHigh energy propellant (HEF 20) Solid
Fourth stage
Propellant mass262 kg
Powered by1 solid
Maximum thrust2.4 tonnes
Specific impulse283 sec
Burn time33 seconds
PropellantHigh energy propellant (HEF 20) Solid

The Satellite Launch Vehicle or SLV was a small-lift launch vehicle project started in the early 1970s by the Indian Space Research Organisation to develop the technology needed to launch satellites. SLV was intended to reach a height of 400 kilometres (250 mi) and carry a payload of 40 kg (88 lb).[2] The first experimental flight of SLV, in August 1979, was a failure.[3] The first successful launch took place on 18 July 1980.

It was a four-stage rocket with all solid-propellant motors.[3]

The first launch of the SLV took place in Sriharikota on 10 August 1979. The fourth and final launch of the SLV took place on 17 April 1983.

It has taken approximately seven years to realise the vehicle from start. The solid motor case for first and second stage are fabricated from 15 CDV6 steel sheets and third and fourth stages from fibre reinforced plastic.[1]

  1. ^ a b "First Successful Launch of SLV-3 - Silver Jubilee" (PDF). ISRO. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Launch Vehicles". Department of Space, Government of India. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b "SLV". isro.gov.in. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2015.