SLV

Satellite Launch Vehicle

Mission Profile

India's Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV), also known as SLV-3, was the country's first orbital launch vehicle, developed by ISRO under the direction of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to establish India's independent capability to place satellites in orbit. Standing 22 m tall with a 1 m diameter, a liftoff mass of 17 tonnes, and four solid-propellant stages generating 502 kN of first-stage thrust, it could deliver 40 kg to low Earth orbit. After a failed first attempt in August 1979, the SLV successfully placed the Rohini satellite in orbit on July 18, 1980, making India the seventh nation to achieve indigenous orbital launch capability and establishing the foundation for India's subsequent ASLV, PSLV, and GSLV programs.