---
title: "PSLV: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Overview"
description: "The PSLV is ISRO's four-stage rocket, operational since 1994, designed to place satellites into polar orbits. It's crucial for India's satellite launches."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/pslv"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is ISRO's four-stage expendable rocket, operational since 1994, designed primarily to place satellites into Sun-synchronous polar orbits.
- How does the PSLV differ from the GSLV?
- Which major Indian missions did the PSLV launch?
- What is the stage configuration of the PSLV?
- Why is the PSLV strategically important for India?

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

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is ISRO's four-stage expendable rocket, operational since 1994, designed primarily to place satellites into Sun-synchronous polar orbits.

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## Timeline

1. 20 September 1993

   Conceived in the 1980s to give India indigenous capacity to launch Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into Sun-synchronous polar orbits—a capability earl…

2. 15 October 1994

   Conceived in the 1980s to give India indigenous capacity to launch Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into Sun-synchronous polar orbits—a capability earl…

3. 15 February 2017

   It launched Chandrayaan-1 (October 2008), India's first lunar probe; the Mars Orbiter Mission, Mangalyaan (PSLV-C25, November 2013), making India the first n…

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Example

ISRO's PSLV-C37 launched a record 104 satellites in a single flight on 15 February 2017 from Sriharikota, including the Cartosat-2D and 101 foreign nanosatellites.

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