---
title: "PSLV: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Explained"
description: "The PSLV is ISRO's four-stage expendable rocket for polar and Sun-synchronous orbits, used since 1993 and known for the 104-satellite 2017 launch."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/polar-satellite-launch-vehicle"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is an expendable Indian launch system developed by ISRO to place satellites into polar Sun-synchronous and other orbits.
- How does the PSLV differ from the GSLV?
- Why is the PSLV called a 'workhorse' launcher?
- What is the POEM and how is it linked to the PSLV?
- Who handles commercial PSLV launches for foreign customers?

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

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is an expendable Indian launch system developed by ISRO to place satellites into polar Sun-synchronous and other orbits.

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## Timeline

1. 20 September 1993

   The maiden flight, PSLV-D1 on , failed to reach orbit; the first fully successful mission, PSLV-D2, flew on 15 October 1994, carrying the IRS-P2 remote-sensi…

2. 15 October 1994

   The maiden flight, PSLV-D1 on 20 September 1993, failed to reach orbit; the first fully successful mission, PSLV-D2, flew on , carrying the IRS-P2 remote-sen…

3. 22 October 2008

   PSLV-C11 launched Chandrayaan-1, India's first lunar probe, on ; PSLV-C25 launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) on 5 November 2013, making India the…

4. 5 November 2013

   PSLV-C11 launched Chandrayaan-1, India's first lunar probe, on 22 October 2008; PSLV-C25 launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) on , making India the…

5. 15 February 2017

   On , PSLV-C37 set a then-world record by deploying 104 satellites in a single flight, most of them foreign nanosatellites.

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Example

On 15 February 2017, ISRO's PSLV-C37 launched 104 satellites in a single flight from Sriharikota, then a world record, deploying the Cartosat-2D and 103 mostly foreign nanosatellites.

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