---
title: "GSLV: India's Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is ISRO's rocket for launching 2-2.5 tonne satellites, featuring a cryogenic upper stage."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/geosynchronous-satellite-launch-vehicle"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle is an Indian expendable rocket developed by ISRO to place communication satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit.
- What is the difference between GSLV and PSLV?
- Why was the GSLV's cryogenic engine development politically significant?
- Is the GSLV Mk III the same vehicle as the GSLV Mk II?
- What major missions has the GSLV family launched?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle is an Indian expendable rocket developed by ISRO to place communication satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit.

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## Timeline

1. 18 April 2001

   The first developmental flight, GSLV-D1, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on .

2. 5 January 2014

   The GSLV Mk II describes the indigenous-cryogenic version that achieved operational status with the GSAT-14 launch on , after early flights used the imported…

3. 22 July 2019

   The LVM3 carried the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission on and Chandrayaan-3 on 14 July 2023, and it is the designated launcher for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight…

4. 14 July 2023

   The LVM3 carried the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission on 22 July 2019 and Chandrayaan-3 on , and it is the designated launcher for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight…

5. 15 April 2010

   Of the GSLV Mk I and Mk II developmental and operational flights through the 2010s, several failed — notably GSLV-D3 on , the maiden indigenous-cryogenic fli…

6. 25 December 2010

   Of the GSLV Mk I and Mk II developmental and operational flights through the 2010s, several failed — notably GSLV-D3 on 15 April 2010, the maiden indigenous-…

7. 12 August 2021

   Of the GSLV Mk I and Mk II developmental and operational flights through the 2010s, several failed — notably GSLV-D3 on 15 April 2010, the maiden indigenous-…

8. 29 May 2023

   The successful NVS-01 navigation-satellite launch on demonstrated the matured reliability of the GSLV Mk II.

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Example

ISRO launched Chandrayaan-3 aboard the LVM3 (GSLV Mk III) from Sriharikota on 14 July 2023, with the mission achieving a soft landing near the lunar south pole on 23 August 2023.

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