The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been at the forefront of space exploration since its inception in 1969. The country has made significant strides in space technology and has successfully launched numerous satellites and interplanetary probes. But one of the most remarkable accomplishments of the ISRO is the development of launch vehicles, which enable the launch of satellites into space.
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), located in Thiruvananthapuram, is responsible for the design and development of launch vehicles. VSSC is one of the major research and development centres of ISRO and has been instrumental in developing several satellites and launch vehicles. The Rocket and Launch Vehicle Technology Centre (RLV-TD), established in 1975, is one of the pioneering centres of VSSC, which is responsible for designing and developing advanced launch vehicles.
VSSC has been at the forefront of science and technology since its inception. The centre is responsible for the design and development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), and the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). In addition, VSSC has also developed the indigenous cryogenic engine, which is used to power the upper stages of the launch vehicle.
The PSLV is the most successful and reliable launch vehicle in India. This launch vehicle has enabled the launch of several communication, earth observation, and navigation satellites into orbit. The latest version of the PSLV, the PSLV-C45, successfully launched the EMISAT satellite and 28 other satellites into space in April 2019.
The GSLV is one of India's most powerful launch vehicles and has been used to launch several navigation, communication, earth observation and science satellites into orbit. The GSLV-F11 was the first launch vehicle powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine, and it successfully launched the GSAT-7A communication satellite in December 2018.
The Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) is a winged space plane currently under development. Its primary mission is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space by making the entire launch process reusable. The RLV technology demonstrator was successfully tested in 2016, and the first full-scale test of the RLV-TD is scheduled to take place in 2021.
The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a new launch vehicle developed by VSSC, capable of launching small satellites into space. The first SSLV launch is expected to take place in the coming months, and it is expected to significantly reduce the cost of launching satellites into space.
In conclusion, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram is the prime centre for developing launch vehicles in India. The centre has been instrumental in the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), and the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). All these launch vehicles have enabled the successful launch of various satellites into orbit, which have helped further India’s space exploration capabilities.
