Question

Which is India's first experimental satellite launch vehicle, capable of placing 40 kg class payloads in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)?

• A. ASLV
• B. PSLV
• C. SLV-3
• D. GSLV-MK3

Answer 1

Answer:

C. SLV-3

• SLV-3 (Satellite Launch Vehicle-3) was India's first experimental satellite launch vehicle. It successfully launched the Rohini satellite into orbit in 1980, making India the sixth nation to achieve independent orbital launch capability. It was designed to put 40 kg class payloads into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

• ASLV (Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle): This was a follow-up to SLV-3, designed for higher payloads (around 150 kg) to LEO.

• PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle): This is ISRO's workhorse launch vehicle, known for its reliability and capability to launch satellites into various orbits, including polar sun-synchronous orbit. It handles much heavier payloads than SLV-3.

• GSLV-Mk III (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, now LVM3): This is ISRO's heaviest operational launch vehicle, primarily designed to launch heavy communication satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and also for future human spaceflight missions.