ISRO Rockets Explained: SLV to PSLV, GSLV, SSLV and LVM
The Indian Space Research Organization as known as ISRO is India’s national space agency, ISRO operates a wide network of Indian satellites that support communication, defense, Earth observation, navigation, and scientific research. ISRO has established itself as a trusted agency for national and international space missions.
ISRO is also one of the few space agencies worldwide to achieve missions beyond Earth, with successful explorations to the Moon (Chandrayaan) and Mars (Mangalyaan). It has reliable launch vehicles such as the PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, and SSLV.
List of ISRO Rockets in Operation
Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) was The first Rocket which developed by ISRO.
- PSLV – Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
- GSLV – Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
- LVM3 – Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III
- Sounding Rockets
Source: ISRO
PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the most successful rocket developed by the ISRO. As India’s third-generation launch vehicle, the PSLV has completed 57 successful missions, making it one of the most reliable rockets in the world. Due to its consistent performance in launching satellites into different orbits, it is popularly known as the Workhorse of ISRO.
Total Launches: 61 (57- Successful, 1 – Partial Success , 3 – failure)
PSLV Missions
- Chandrayaan-1(Moon Orbiter mission)
- Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission)
- Aditya L1 (Solar observation)
Technical Specification of PSLV
| Height | 44 m |
| Diameter | 2.8 m |
| Number of Stages | 4 |
| Lift Off Mass | 320 tones (XL) |
| Variants | 4 (PSLV,CA,DL,QL,XL) |
| First Flight | September 20, 1993 |
| Payload to SSPO | 1,750 KG |
| Payload to GTO | 1,425 KG |
| Payload to LEO | 3,800 KG |
Read also: Top Assets by Market Cap (2025): Gold, Silver, Bitcoin, Nvidia.
GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle)
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle also known as GSLV Mark II is the medium-lift launch vehicle, it is used to launch communication satellites in geo transfer orbit using cryogenic third stage.
Total Launches: 18 (12- Successful, 2 – Partial Success , 4 – failure)
GSLV Missions
- NISAR
- INSAT
- GSAT
- EOS-03
Technical Specification of GSLV
| Height | 51.73 m (With Ogive PLF) |
| Diameter | 2.8 m |
| Number of Stages | 3 |
| Lift Off Mass | 420 tones |
| Variants | 2 (Mk-I, MK-II) |
| First Flight | April 18, 2001 |
| Payload to SSPO | 3,000 KG |
| Payload to GTO | 2,250 KG |
| Payload to LEO | 6,000 KG |
Read also: Which Bank Operates the Most ATMs in India in 2025?
LVM3 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III)
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III (GSLV Mk-III) also Known as LVM3 is the new heavy lift launch vehicle of ISRO for achieving a 4000 kg spacecraft launching capability to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit). LVM3 is a three stage launch vehicle consisting of two solid propellant S200 strap-ons and core stages comprising of L110 liquid stage, C25 cryogenic stage, the equipment bay (EB) and the Encapsulated assembly (EA). It has used for Mission like Chandrayaan-3 to launch the lander and rover to the moon.
Total Launches: 7 (7- Successful, 0 – Partial Success , 0 – failure)
LVM3 Missions
- Chandrayan-2
- Chandrayan-3
- GSAT-29
- One Web India -1
Technical Specification of LVM3
| Height | 43.5 m |
| Diameter | 4 m |
| Number of Stages | 3 |
| Lift Off Mass | 640 tones |
| Heat Shield (Payload Fairing) Diameter | 5 M |
| First Flight | 18 December 2014 (suborbital) 5 June 2017 (orbital) |
| Payload to TLI | 3,000 KG |
| Payload to GTO | 4,000 KG |
| Payload to LEO | 8,000 KG |
Sounding Rockets
Sounding rockets are one or two stage solid propellant rockets used for probing the upper atmospheric regions and for space research, these are used to launch up to 100KG satellites at up to 470 KM altitude.
Read also: Busiest Airports in the World in 2025
PSLV vs GSLV vs LVM3
| Feature | PSLV | GSLV | LVM 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Launch | 1993 | 2001 | 2014 |
| Height | ~44 m | ~51 m | ~43.5 m |
| Stages | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Payload Capacity to LEO | ~3,800 kg | ~6,000 kg | ~8,000 kg |
| Payload Capacity to GTO | ~1,750 kg | ~2,250 kg (LVM3) | ~4,000 kg |
| Main Missions | Earth observation, Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission | Nisar, INSAT, GSAT | Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 |
| Reliability | Very high (over 95% success rate) | Moderate to high | 100% suucess |
Read also: Extreme Poverty in India: A Success Story in the Making
Rockets Under Development
ISRO has many rockets in development include Human rated launch vehicle, which will be used for much awaited Gaganyaan Mission.
Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HRLV)
The proven and reliable heavy lift launcher of ISRO LVM3, All systems in LVM3 launch vehicle are re-configured to meet human rating requirements HLVM3 will be capable of launching the Orbital Module to an intended Low Earth Orbit of 400 km. It consists of Crew Escape System.
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)
India developed the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) as a 3-stage rocket with three solid propulsion stages and a liquid-propulsion Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as the terminal stage.
| Height | 34 m |
| Diameter | 2 m |
| Number of Stages | 3 |
| Lift Off Mass | 120 tones |
| First Flight | 7 August 2022 |
| Payload to LEO | 500KG |
Other launch Vehicle Under Development
- Scramjet Engine – TD
- Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD
Read also: India’s Calorie Consumption: State-wise Breakdown
Retired Rockets of ISRO
ISRO Launched its Fist satellite in 1975 known as Aryabhata with Russian launch Vehicle, India developed Its first rocket in 1980 and Launched a Satellite with its indigenous Rocket SLV in July 1980.
- SLV-3
- ASLV
Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3) was India’s first experimental satellite launch vehicle, which was an all solid, four stage vehicle weighing 17 tones with a height of 22m and capable of placing 40 kg class payloads in Low Earth Orbit.
he Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) Program was designed to augment the payload capacity to 150 kg in LEO. The first developmental flight took place on March 24, 1987
Read also: Longest Coastline in India: State-wise List updated(2025)
