The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) created and operates the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle (ISRO). It was created to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into sun-synchronous orbits, a service that had previously only been commercially available from Russia until the PSLV's introduction in 1993. PSLV is also capable of launching tiny satellites into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).
India's first lunar probe, Chandrayaan-1, India's first interplanetary mission, Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), and India's first space observatory, Astrosat, are among the important payloads launched by PSLV.
Because of its numerous multi-satellite deployment campaigns with supplementary payloads often riding together with an Indian primary payload, PSLV has established itself as a major provider of rideshare services for tiny satellites.
PSLV has launched 342 foreign satellites from 36 countries as of February 2021.
The launch of PSLV-C37 on 15 February 2017, which successfully deployed 104 satellites in sun-synchronous orbit, breaking Russia's previous record for the most satellites launched in a single launch until, January 24, 2021, SpaceX launched the Transporter-1 mission, which sent 143 satellites into orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket.
A Dual Launch Adapter can be used to connect two payloads in a tandem arrangement. On the equipment deck and bespoke payload adapters, smaller payloads are also installed.
ISROhas planned a number of PSLV variants to meet various mission requirements. The PSLV is now available in two versions: a core-only (PSLV-CA) version with no strap-on motors, and a (PSLV-XL) variant with six extended lengths (XL) strap-on motors each carrying 12 tonnes of HTPB-based propellant. The payload capabilities of these designs range from 3,800 kg (8,400 lb) in LEO to 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) in a sun-synchronous orbit.
