Has anyone any update on PSLV-3S? This variant doesn't have PS2 (2nd stage of standard PSLV) and strapons; and capable of 550 kg to LEO.
Here are some specs of PSLV-3S (gleaned from
here):
1st stage: S139
2nd stage: PS3
3rd stage: PS4
This 500kg to LEO seems to be an interesting market to be in; provided dedicated "at will" launches are made cheaper than ride-sharing. I guess this segment is heating up now, with the arrival of new rockets like
FireFly Alpha and
RocketLab Electron.
I feel, if ISRO can quickly qualify the vehicle (shouldn't be "difficult" as it's based on PSLV?) and offer launches at $2M price tag (or on par with ride-sharing), then they can be a niche operator in this segment.
I feel, if ISRO can quickly qualify the vehicle (shouldn't be "difficult" as it's based on PSLV?) and offer launches at $2M price tag (or on par with ride-sharing), then they can be a niche operator in this segment.
If PSLV-CA goes for anything close to the $17M that's been quoted in various media outlets, it seems unlikely that getting rid of one stage would get anywhere close to $2M. The PDF you linked actually has a fairly detailed cost breakdown and gives PS2 as 13%. It's not clear what share other items belong to PS2 (presumably some integration, maybe a significant amount of "light allow structures"?), but saving more than 25% seems unlikely. In that case, the cost/kg would be significantly worse than CA.
I think ISRO is also considering developing a launcher based on Advanced technology vehicle that can launch 200-600 kg nano/micro satellite upto 800 km height.