1. What makes PSLV unique?

India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) occupies a unique position in the medium class of
launch vehicles, being ideally suited for the launch of remote sensing(RS) and other scientific
payloads
The various launch vehicles that other nations possess are either too small or too large. PSLV has
the ideal medium class launch configuration
PSLV is a unique rocket. In its standard configuration, it is capable of lifting approximately a 2
ton payload. In the core-alone mode, it can deliver less than a one ton payload in a sunsynchronous polar orbit, and with some additional modifications in a geo-synchronous transfer
orbit.

PSLV - standard version

The standard version of the PSLV has four stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems
alternately and six strap-on boosters. It currently has capability to launch 1,678 kg to 622 km
into sun synchronous orbit.
PSLV-CA
The PSLV-CA, "Core Alone", model does not include the six strap-on boosters used by the PSLV
standard variant. Two small roll control modules and two first-stage motor control injection
tanks are still attached to the side of the first stage. The fourth stage of the CA variant has 400
kg less propellant when compared to its standard version. It currently has capability to launch
1,100 kg to 622 km sun synchronous orbit.
PSLV-XL
PSLV-XL is the uprated version of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in its standard configuration
boosted by more powerful, stretched strap-on boosters. Weighing 320 tonnes at lift-off, the
vehicle uses larger strap-on motors to achieve higher payload capability.
2. How does PSLV add to ISRO's brand value?
India's advanced space program puts her in an elite global group of 5-6 countries today. This is
one domain, in which we are at the international cutting edge, a domain in which we have
pushed beyond mediocrity to achieve excellence. All this was made through PSLV the workhorse
of Indian satellite launches.

As of 2014 the PSLV has launched 71 spacecraft (31 Indian and 40 foreign satellites) into a
variety of orbits. Some notable payloads launched by PSLV include India's Chandrayaan-1 lunar
probe and the Mars Orbiter Mission. It is the most successful launch vehicle in ISRO to date,
with 27 consecutively successful flights out of 28 launches.

There are some unconfirmed reports suggesting that that India provides launch services at
about 75% of the price charged by other agencies.
During the last couple of years, ISRO has won international attention with several successful
non-commercial and commercial launches by its reliable workhorse, the PSLV. Also, ISRO has
effectively showcased its capabilities to the rest of the world by succeeding with its Moon and
Mars programs. On the commercial front, ISRO is now offering reliable and economical space
products and services to various international customers.
3. Why did the first PSLV mission fail?
The PSLV had its first launch on 20 September 1993. Although all main engines performed as
expected, an attitude control problem was reported in the second and third stages.
Attitude control is the exercise of control over the orientation of an object with respect to
an inertial frame of reference.
Controlling vehicle attitude requires sensors to measure vehicle orientation, actuators to apply
the torques needed to re-orient the vehicle to a desired attitude, and algorithms to command
the actuators based on
Sensor measurements of the current attitude and
Specification of a desired attitude.

A significant attitude disturbance occurred during second to third-stage separation, causing

the attitude control command to exceed its maximum value. Because of the programming
error in the pitch control loop of the digital autopilot software in the guidance and control
processor, the required reversal of command polarity did not take place, causing the pitch
loop to become unstable, resulted in loss of attitude control and failure to achieve orbit. The
attitude control disturbance was traced to failure of one of the retro rockets designed to
pull the burnt second stage away from the third stage. The vehicle crashed into the Bay of
Bengal 700 seconds after take off.

4. What improvement you will suggest as technical advisor in present versions stressing on thrust,
efficiency and weight?
One Possible way of improving efficiency and Payload capacity may be to use the Vikas
L40 engine as the booster rocket instead of the solid motor akin to the GSLV design. This
modification will arm PSLV with many comb inatorial possibilities - for example, using
solid and liquid boosters like Ariane - and enable a GTO launch capability of more than
1,600 kg.

The limitation in PSLV's performance comes from the fact that the vehicle is volumelimited. So any modification has to be within the existing volume constraint. One
important modification could further reducing inert mass of PS-3 motor and increasing
the propellant loading.

Reconfigure PS-4's twin engines as a single engine with one-tonne propellant loading.
This would enable an enormous gain in payload volume and would be useful for
multiple satellite launches (two to three tonnes) in LEO missions.

Another possible improvement is replacing PS-1's SITVC mechanism by flex nozzle for
pitch and yaw control.

5. Being the advisory member, what changes you suggest in existing technical as well as world
relation matters to increase the number of commercial launches.
It is evident that, so far, Indias client base has been primarily European nations and Canada. It is
surprising that none of Indias neighboring states are using India to launch their satellites. It is
important to mention that nations such as Sri Lanka have recently chosen China as an option for
space collaboration, while Afghanistan has procured a satellite from European providers. Along
with South Asia, India needs to expand its customer base to regions like Latin America, the
Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

India has been part of various multilateral arrangements and associated with some others, like
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC); India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA);
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS); Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
forum; and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). There is a need to use such
forums effectively to attract space business.
Enhancing capabilities in all respects by increasing the number of satellite launches and satellite
programmes. The government has given the nod to set up a rocket assembly unit and third
launch pad, which will increase the capability of Isro to launch the number of spacecrafts in a
year to 12 from the current eight. Similar more opportunities should be explored.
6. With all eyes on the Mars Orbiter in the recent past the difference between Maven and MoM
was brought into question, considering the aspects of cost and time taken to reach Mars. What
is your say in this regard? Should ISRO consider going for more powerful launch vehicles or
improve on existing design?
Two spacecraft launched for Mars : Mars Orbiter Mission on November 5, and MAVEN on
November 18. But MAVEN was already on an interplanetary trajectory, while Mars Orbiter
Mission was still in Earth orbit and was to not depart for one more week.
Most importantly it was related to their different launch vehicles. Different approaches were
related to their launch vehicles and to the different spacecraft masses. For MAVEN, the trip to
Mars is straightforward. That's because its Atlas V rocket was able to deliver both MAVEN , with
a mass of 2500 kilograms, fully fueled, and an attached, powerful Centaur upper stage into Earth
orbit. While already orbiting Earth, Centaur was able to kick MAVEN directly on to Mars.
MOM chooses to do things differently. Having less massive a spacecraft than MAVEN, ISRO is
depending on its proven Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, and a reliable propulsion system that is
built into the spacecraft: a 440-newton bi-propellant fed rocket engine, and instead of one very
powerful Centaur burn, ISRO would use its much smaller engine repeatedly. It has to be
repeated burns, rather than one long burn, because in order to raise the spacecraft's apoapsis the high point in its orbit - it has to fire when it is speeding past its closest point to Earth, at
periapsis.
So with repeated burns while going through periapses, the MOM spacecraft is working its way
to a high enough energy to get on a trajectory that will be hyperbolic with respect to Earth; it
will have the ability to inject onto its interplanetary cruise, orbiting the Sun instead of Earth.
MAVEN did this all at once with a powerful rocket; MOM is doing it in steps using its smaller
rocket, but the energy required is about the same.

The $74 million Mars Orbiter Mission is much less compared to the MAVEN mission owing to
indigenously built sensors and other equipment and indigenous PSLV.
Over the period of time ISRO will have to develop technologies for more powerful launch
vehicles capable of transporting larger capsules to space.
With the entry to the elite league of space leadership we would not like to stop here but would
aspire to become the leader of the world in space technology. In persuit of such dream we
cannot remain untouchable to powerful launching technology but in the meantime continue to
upgrade and improve our medium sized launch vehicle.