PSLV to get new versionsWednesday April 25 2007 12:01 ISThttp://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070425013957&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0&T’PURAM: The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the latest of which took to the skies on Monday with a 352-kg Italian satellite, will soon get new versions.Monday’s PSLV-C8 mission had Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) first ‘Core-Alone’ configuration, which was a major modification and saved the ISRO about Rs 10 crore. But more enhancements on the PSLV model are in the pipeline, PSLV project director N Narayanamoorthy told this website’s newspaper.A conventional PSLV has six solid motor strap-ons, each weighing ten tonne, attached to it.This design was done away with for the fully commercial PSLV-C8 mission, which put in orbit the Astro-Rivelatore Gamma Immagini Leggero (AGILE), an Italian Space Agency satellite. The PSLV-C8 also carried an Advanced Avionics Module.The PSLV C-8 mission, the tenth successful one in the series, used the PSLV-CA (PSLV-Core Alone) variant considering lower payload capability. The chief PSLV variants planned by the ISRO include PSLV-XL and the PSLV-HP, Narayanamoorthy said.“The PSLV-XL variant is meant for the Chandrayaan Mission. It will have the six strap-ons but each will be upgraded to carry additional three tonne of propellant,” Narayanamoorthy, who is PSLV project director since the PSLV-C5 mission in October, 2003, said. The development test of the PSLV-XL has been completed and the production is on. The payload capacity of this version is 1,800 kg, as opposed to the conventional version’s 1,600 kg, he said.Yet another version planned is the PSLV-HP, standing for ‘high performance.’ It will have strap-ons motors, but the payload capability will be raised to 2000 kg, Narayanamoorthy said.The HP version will be used to launch a constellation of seven navigation satellites between 2010 and 2012. Among other things, the efficiency of the stage 4 engine will be improved in this version. ISRO is also planning a series of rockets for putting smaller satellites in orbits of 35-40 degree inclination, he saidWhat sets apart this version from others is that there will only be three stages, instead of the normal four. The second stage will be removed, Narayanamoorthy said.
