The first launch vehicle of India is the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3). It was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and served as the foundation for India's space program. The SLV-3 was primarily designed to place small satellites into orbit and initiate India's journey into space exploration.

The inaugural launch of the SLV-3 took place on August 10, 1979, from the Sriharikota High Altitude Range (SHAR) in Andhra Pradesh, India. The launch was designated as SLV-D1. The primary objective of this maiden flight was to assess the performance of the SLV-3 system and to successfully place the Rohini Satellite, a small experimental satellite, into orbit.

However, the first launch of the SLV-3 was not entirely successful. The vehicle achieved four stages of its flight but encountered an issue during the final stage, resulting in the satellite failing to reach its intended orbit. Despite this setback, the launch was a significant milestone for India's space program, marking the beginning of its journey towards becoming a space-faring nation.

The SLV-3 was a four-stage, all-solid propellant rocket with a height of around 22 meters and a lift-off weight of approximately 17 tons. It featured various technological advancements, including inertial guidance and control, closed-loop guidance, and a self-contained strap-on booster system. These innovations helped establish the foundation for subsequent Indian launch vehicles.

Following the first launch, ISRO made several modifications and improvements to the SLV-3, leading to subsequent missions such as SLV-D2, SLV-3D1, and SLV-3D2. These missions achieved varying levels of success and provided valuable experience and insights for India's space program.

Although the SLV-3 series was eventually phased out, its legacy paved the way for the development of more advanced launch vehicles in India. Notably, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which succeeded the SLV-3, became the workhorse of ISRO and played a crucial role in launching numerous Indian and foreign satellites into space.

Today, India has further progressed in its space endeavors with the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the more powerful GSLV Mk III, which enabled the successful launch of the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission and the Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter Mission.

The SLV-3 holds historical significance as the first launch vehicle of India and marked the beginning of the country's journey into space exploration. It laid the foundation for subsequent advancements in launch vehicle technology and set the stage for India's emergence as a prominent player in the global space arena.