PSLV-CA

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle

Mission Profile

The PSLV-CA (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle — Core Alone) is an Indian four-stage launch vehicle, a stripped-down variant of the standard PSLV that omits the six strap-on solid rocket boosters for lighter-weight satellite missions to sun-synchronous orbit. Standing 44.4 m tall with a 2.8 m diameter and a liftoff mass of 229 tonnes, it generates 4,860 kN of combined first-stage thrust in a four-stage solid-liquid-solid-liquid configuration and can deliver 3,250 kg to low Earth orbit. First flying in April 2007, the PSLV-CA has carried Earth observation, navigation, and small satellite payloads, offering cost savings over the full PSLV-XL for missions that do not require maximum payload capacity.