VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

JNANASANGAMA, BELAGAVI – 590018

A Technical seminar Report on

“PROCESS OF LAUNCHING SPACE VEHICLES AND
SATELLITES”
Submitted to partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Engineering In
Mechanical Engineering

Submitted by

ANILKUMAR S
KENCHANAGOUDR
2GP17ME006

Under the guidance of

Prof. VINOD NAYAK
Assistant Professor Dept. of
Mechanical Engineering
Government Engineering College
Majali, Karwar 581301

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Government Engineering College Majali,
Karwar 581345
2020-21
 GOVERNMENT ENGINEERING COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MAJALI, KARWAR 581301

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Techinical Seminar entitled “PROCESS OF LAUNCHING SPACE
VEHICLES AND SATELLITES” carried out by Mr. Anilkumar S Kenchanagoudr bearing
USN:2GP17ME006, a bonified student of Government Engineering College, Majali, Karwar
in partial fulfillment for the award of Bachelor of Engineering (VIII Semester) in Mechanical
Department of the Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi during the academic year
2020-21. It is certified that all corrections/suggestions indicated for internal assessment have
been incorporated in the report deposited in the Department Library.

Signature of the Guide Signature of the HOD Signature of the Principal

Prof. VINOD NAIK Prof. PALLAVI T Dr. SHANTHALA B

HOD PRINCIPAL
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Mechanical Govt. Engineering College
Dept. of Mechanical
Engineering Govt. Engineering Majali,Karwar Dist-581301
Engineering
College Majali, Karwar Dist-
Govt. Engineering College
581301
Majali, Karwar Dist-581301

External viva voce

Name of the Examiner Signature

1
2
 ACKNOWLEDMENT

Words are indeed inadequate to convey my deep sense of gratitude to all

those who have helped me in completing this project to the best of my ability. Being
a part of this seminar has certainly been a unique and a very productive experience
on my part.

I would also like to thank my mentor and project co-ordinator,Prof. Rajat

Nayak for assigning me a project of such a great learning experience and acquainting
me with real life project financing and appraisal.

It is a great pleasure to express our most sincere gratitude and profound

regards to our Guide Prof.Vinod Naik for his Encouragement ,invaluable guidance
and help during the course of thework.

I also extend my sincere appreciation to Prof. Pallavi T (Head of

Department) who provided his valuable suggestions and precious time in
accomplishing my training report.

I will be failing in my duty if I don’t thank our principal Dr. Shanthala B for
providing healthy environment in the college that helped in concentrating on the task.

Last but not least I would like to thank all the teachingand non-teaching staff
and friends who have directly or indirectly helped me with their moral support for the
completion of my seminar.
Abstract
In an effort to compete with international commercial launch services, the U.S. is looking at
expanding its launch vehicle fleet and capabilities. Included in this expansion is the need for a
heavy lift launch vehicle for the space station Freedom as well as the new Space Exploration
Initiative.The objective of the design team is to develop a family of launch vehicles which will
not only be competitive with foreign launch services, but will also meet the heavy lift needs of
future U.S. space programs. The family of vehicles will have the capability of launching payload
in the range of 20,000 to 200,000 lbs (9,000 to 90,000 kg) into low Earth orbit.
The proposed launch vehicles will make use of several key technologies to increase
their performance and competitiveness. One of the most innovative advances will be the use of
hybrid solid-liquid propellants as the the main propulsion system to power the launch vehicles.
Quintessential to the project will be an analysis and revision of current launch vehicle
manufacturing, operations and overall design.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTERS PAGE NO.

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1

CHAPTER 2 BRIEF ABOUT LAUNCHING 3

CHAPTER 3 LAUNCHING VEHICLES 4

3.1 Expendable Launch Vehicles & Reusable Launch Vehicle 5

CHAPTER 4 METHODOLOGY 7

4.1 Throttling and Thrust Vector Control 7

4.2 Navigation Guidance and Control Subsystem 8

4.3 Communication and Data Handling & Electrical Power 8

CHAPTER 5 WORKING 9

5.1 Structure and Mechanisms & Staging 9

CHAPTER 6 LAUNCHING OF SATELLITES 12

CHAPTER 7 ISRO’S LAUNCHING VEHICLES 14

7.1 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle 14

7.2 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle 15

CHAPTER 8 APPLICATIONS 16

CHAPTER 9 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES 17

CHAPTER 10 CONCLUSION 18

CHAPTER 11 REFERENCES 19
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No Name of the Figure Page No

Fig No. 2.1 Launching Process 3
Fig. No. 3.1 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle 5
Fig No. 3.2 Space Shuttle 6
Fig No. 5.1 Structure of Launching Vehicle 10
Fig No. 7.1 ISRO’s Vehicles 13
Fig No. 7.12 PSLV 14
Fig No. 7.13 GSLV 15
Process of Launching Space Vehicles and Satellites

Chapter 1:

INTRODUCTION
Development of launch vehicles for the lunar landing mission represents a
tremendous stride forward in rocket propulsion: they are bigger, more powerful, and vastly
more complex than previous U.S. launch vehicles. Development of the Saturn family began in
late 1958 under the Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency. The work
was conducted by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., .
which in 1960 was transferred in part to NASA to become the nucleus of the Marshall Space
Flight Center. Studies under Dr. Wernher von Braun aimed at developing a booster with a total
thrust of 1.5 million pounds had been conducted in 1957. There are three launch vehicles in the
Saturn family the Saturn I, which had a perfect record of ten successful flights; the Saturn 18,
and the Saturn V. The name Saturn was adopted in 1959 and at that time applied only to the 1.5
million pound thrust vehicle which became the- Saturn I. This stepping stone approach led to
the development of Saturn V in three phases Saturn I, which used primarily modified existing
equipment Saturn 18, which uses a modified first stage of the Saturn I and a new second stage
and instrument unit and the Saturn V, which uses new first and second stages and the third stage
and instrument unit of the Saturn I B. Development of the engines needed for the Saturn
vehicles was begun separately, but much of it was in parallel with the vehicle program. Work
started on the F-1 engine, the nation's largest. In 1958 and on the hydrogen-powered J-2 engine
in 1960. The J-2, which burns a cryogenic (ultra low temperature) propellant composed of
liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, was the-·key to development of the powerful upper stages of
the Saturn I B and Saturn V. The Saturn I program is complete. From 1961 through 1965 it was
launched 10 times successfully, putting Apollo boilerplate (test) vehicles and Pegasus meteoroid
technology satellites into orbit.
The artificial satellite is a system which mainly goes around the Earth with a specific purpose. It
is a multidisciplinary system which can be divided into two main parts based on their functions
as payloads and main frame. Payloads are the instruments or sensors which are directly related
to the applications. In the case of Remote sensing satellites, they are cameras/imaging systems,
synthetic aperture radars (SAR), scatterometer etc. and in communication satellites they are
receivers and transmitters. Some scientific purpose satellites carry instruments to measure the

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electron contents, gamma ray detectors. X-ray monitors, ultra violet detectors etc., The main
frame some times called as bus which carries the Payload. It can be broadly divided into
electrical and mechanical systems. Electrical subsystems are power system, communication
system, data handling digital systems and attitude & orbit control system. The power system
generates power from solar radiation in sunlit, stores it in battery for the requirement of eclipse
duration operation and distribute the power among different systems. The communication
system is to receive the command from the ground stations and transmit various information
like temperature, pressure, power consumptions consumption of different systems and attitude
and orbit information of the satellites to the ground station. Addition to this it transmits the high
volume data collected by payload instruments to the ground. The data handling digital system
collects the telemetry information from different systems, format them and transmit to
communication system[1]. It also collects the commands from communication systems and
distribute to relevant system. Addition to this, the data handling system collect data from
payload instruments, compress, encode and send to communication system. The Attitude and
orbit control system consists of various sensors and actuators. It measures the attitude and orbit
information from sensors and activates the actuators for correction if required. The spacecraft
mechanical systems are structure, thermal control systems (TCS) and mechanisms. The
structural system is the skeleton of the satellite, mainly made up of Aluminum alloys and
Carbon Fiber Reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials. It provides space to mount the electrical and
other mechanical systems. The structure is designed to provide sufficient stiffness to maintain
the look angles of the payloads and attitude sensors. The Thermal control system provide
suitable thermal environment to the electrical and other mechanical systems for their better
functionality. As size of some systems like solar panels and antennas violate the heat shield
volume of the launch vehicle. They are to be kept folded during launch and deployed after
reaching orbit. For this purpose, some mechanisms are designed and employed. Orbit raising
and attitude correction are done by propulsion system.

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Chapter 2
BRIEF ABOUT LAUNCHING
The process of carrying a satellite with the help of carrier
vehicles like rocket, space shuttle, PSLV and that satellite will be placed in a proper orbit is
known as a Launching Process.A Satellite is basically any object that revolves around the
planet in a circular orbit or elliptical path purposely to perform a specific mission .
Satellites stay in space for most of their life time. We know that the environment of
weightlessness is present in the space. That’s why satellites don’t require additional strong
frames in space. But, those are required during launching process. Because in that process
satellite shakes violently, till the satellite has been placed in a proper orbit.The design of
satellites should be compatible with one or more launch vehicles in order to place the satellite in
an orbit. We know that the period of revolution will be more for higher apogee altitude
according to Kepler’s second law. The period of geostationary transfer orbit is nearly equal to
16 hours. If perigee is increased to GEO altitude (around 36,000 km), then the period of
revolution will increase to 24 hours
The following image shows a process of launch vehicle

Figure 2.1 Launching Process

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Chapter 3
LAUNCHING VEHICLES
Launch vehicles come in many different shapes and sizes, from the
mighty Space Shuttle to the tiny Pegasus, as shown in Figure 4.2.1-50. In this section, we start
by examining the common elements of modern launch vehicles. Looking at launch vehicles as
systems, we’ll review the various subsystems that work together to deliver a payload into orbit
and focus on the unique requirements for the massive propulsion subsystems needed to do the
job. Finally, we’ll look at staging to see why launch vehicles come in sections that are used and
discarded on the way to orbit.
A launch vehicle needs most of the same subsystems as a spacecraft to deliver a payload (the
spacecraft) from the ground into orbit. The two biggest differences between a launch vehicle
and a spacecraft are the total operation time (about 10 minutes versus 10+ years) and the total
velocity change needed (>8 km/s versus 0–1 km/s). Let’s start by looking at the challenges of
launch-vehicle propulsion to see how we must adapt the technologies discussed earlier in this
chapter to the challenging launch environment. Then we’ll briefly review the other subsystems
needed to support these large rockets to safely deliver spacecraft (and people) into
spacePropulsion Subsystem The launch-vehicle propulsion subsystem presents several unique
challenges that sets it apart from the same subsystem on a spacecraft. These include
• Thrust-to-weight ratio—must be greater than 1.0 to get off the ground
• Throttling and thrust-vector control—may need to vary the amount and direction of thrust to
decrease launch loads and to steer
• Nozzle design—nozzles face varying expansion conditions from the ground to space
Let’s go through each of these challenges in more detail. Thrust-to-weight ratio. To get a rocket
off the ground, the total thrust produced must be greater than the vehicle’s weight. We refer to
the ratio of the thrust to the vehicle’s weight as the thrust-to-weight ratio. Thus, aaunch-
vehicle’s propulsion system must produce a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than 1.0. For example,
the thrust-to-weight ratio at lift-off for the Atlas launch vehicle is about 1.2, and for the Space
Shuttle it’s about 1.6. Even though chemical rockets aren’t as efficient as some rocket types
discussed in the last section, they offer very high thrust and, more importantly, very high thrust-

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to-weight ratios. For this important reason, current launch vehicles use only chemical rockets,
specifically cryogenic (LH2 + LO2), storable (hydrazine + N2O4) bipropellant, or solid rockets.
Launch vehicles launch the satellites into a particular orbit based on
the requirement. Satellite launch vehicles are nothing but multi stage rockets. Following are
the two types of satellite launch vehicles.
• Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELV)
• Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV)

3.1 Expendable Launch Vehicles

An Expendablelaunch vehicle that can be launched only once,
after which its components are either destroyed during reentry or discarded in space. ELVs
typically consist of several rocket stages that are discarded sequentially as their fuel is
exhausted and the vehicle gains altitude and speed. As of October 2019,
most satellites and human spacecraft are currently launched on ELVs. ELVs are simpler in
design than reusable launch systems and therefore may have a lower production cost.
Furthermore, an ELV can use its entire fuel supply to accelerate its payload, offering greater
payloads. ELVs are proven technology in widespread use for many decades.[1]
ELVs are usable only once, and therefore have a significantly higher per-launch cost than
modern (SpaceX or post-STS) reusable vehicles. Expendable launch vehicle means a launch
vehicle whose propulsive stages are flown only once.Launch means to place or try to place a
launch vehicle or re-entry vehicle (RV) and any payload from Earth in a suborbital trajectory, in
Earth orbit in outer space, or otherwise in outer space, and includes activities involved in the
preparation of a launch vehicle for flight.

Figure 3.1 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle

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3.2 Reusable Launch Vehicles

Reusable launch vehicles (RLV) can be used multiple times for

launching satellites. Generally, this type of launch vehicles will return back to earth after
leaving the satellite in space.
The following image shows a reusable launch vehicle. It is also known as space shuttle.

Figure 3.2 Reusable Launch Vehicle : Space Shuttle

The functions of space shuttle are similar to the functions of first and second stages of ELV.
Satellite along with the third stage of space shuttle are mounted in the cargo bay. It is ejected
from the cargo bay when the space shuttle reaches to an elevation of 150 to 200 miles.
Then, the third stage of space shuttle gets fired and places the satellite into transfer orbit. After
this, the space shuttle will return back to earth for reuse.

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Chapter 4
METHODOLOGY
4.1 Throttling and Thrust Vector control
For virtually all spacecraft applications, rocket
engines are either on or off. There is rarely a need to vary their thrust by throttling the engines.
However, launch vehicles often need throttling, greatly adding to the complexity (and cost!) of
their propulsion subsystems. One reason for throttling has to do with the high aerodynamic
forces on a vehicle as it flies through the atmosphere. Within the first minute or so of launch,
the vehicle’s velocity increases rapidly while it is still relatively low in altitude, where the
atmosphere is still fairly dense. Passing through this dense atmosphere at high velocity produces
dynamic pressure on the vehicle. Without careful attention to design and analysis, these launch
loads could rip the vehicle apart. During design, engineers assume some maximum value, based
on their extensive analysis of expected launch conditions, that the vehicle can’t exceed without
risking structural failure. Before each launch, they must carefully measure and analyze the
winds and other atmospheric conditions over the launch site to ensure the vehicle won’t exceed
its design tolerances. In many cases, they must design in a specifically tailored thrust profile for
the vehicle, which decreases or “throttles down” during the peak dynamic pressure. The Space
Shuttle, for example, reduces the main engines’ thrust from 104% to 65%, during this phase of
flight, and the burn profile of the solid-rocket boosters’ propellant grain is tailored to reduce
thrust a similar amount to keep dynamic pressure below a predetermined, safe level.
Another reason for throttling is to keep total acceleration below a certain level. Astronauts
strapped to the top of a launch vehicle feel the thrust of lift-off as an acceleration or g-load that
pushes them back into their seats. From Newton’s laws in Chapter 4, we know the total
acceleration depends on the force (thrust) and the vehicle’s total mass. If the engine thrust is
constant, the acceleration will gradually increase as the vehicle gets lighter due to expended
propellant. This means the acceleration tends to increase over time. To keep the overall g-load
on the Space Shuttle under 3 g’s, the main engines throttle back about six minutes into the
launch to decrease thrust so it matches the burned propellant. Some vehicles also need throttling
for landing. The decent-stage engine in the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM), shown in Figure
4.2.1-51, used during the Apollo missions, allowed astronauts to throttle the engine over a range
of 10%–100%, so they could touch down softly on the lunar surface. Finally, launch-vehicle

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rockets often have the unique requirement to vary their thrust direction for steering. This thrust-
vector control (TVC) can gimbal the entire engine to point the thrust in the desired direction.

4.2 Navigation, Guidance, and Control Subsystem

we discuss the control problems handled by the spacecraft’s attitude and orbit control subsystem
(AOCS). A launch vehicle must deal with these same problems in a much more dynamic
environment. The navigation, guidance, and control (NGC) subsystem keeps the launch vehicle
aligned along the thrust vector to prevent dangerous side loads, keeps the thrust vector pointed
according to the flight profile, and ensures the vehicle reaches the correct position and velocity
for the desired orbit. As with all control systems, the NGC subsystem has actuators and sensors.
The primary launch-vehicle actuators are the main engines, which use thrust vector control and
throttling to get the rocket where it needs to go. NGC sensors typically include accelerometers
and gyroscopes to measure acceleration and attitude changes. Even though the accuracy of these
sensors drifts over time, they are usually accurate enough for the few minutes needed to reach
orbit. New launch vehicles are starting to rely on the Global Positioning System (GPS) for more
position, velocity, and attitude information.

4.3 Communication and Data Handling

Throughout launch, the vehicle must stay in contact with the Launch Control Center. There,
flight controllers continually monitor telemetry from the launch-vehicle subsystems to ensure
they’re working properly. To do this, the vehicle needs a communication and data-handling
subsystem to process onboard data and deliver telemetry to the control center. Data-handling
equipment for launch vehicles is very similar to the equipment used on spacecraft. Computers
process sensor information and compute commands for actuators, as well as monitor other
onboard processes. On expendable vehicles, these subsystems can be relatively simple because
they need to work for only a few minutes during launch and won’t be exposed to long periods of
space radiation. However, thevibration and acoustic environments require these systems to be
very rugged. Communication equipment is also very similar in concept to those found on
spacecraft. However, for safety reasons, operators need an independent means of tracking a
launch vehicle’s location on the way to orbit. In the Launch Control Center, Range Safety

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Officers monitor a launch vehicle’s trajectory using separate tracking radar, ready to send a self-
destruct command if it strays beyond the planned flight path to endanger people or property.

Electrical Power
Electrical-power requirements for launch vehicles are typically modest
compared to a spacecraft’s. Launch vehicles need only enough power to run the communication
and data-handling subsystems, as well as sensors and actuators. Because of their limited
lifetimes, expendable launch vehicles typically rely on relatively simple batteries for primary
power during launch. The Space Shuttle uses fuel cells powered by hydrogen and oxygen.

Chapter 5
WORKING
5.1 Structure and Mechanisms
Finally, we must design the launch vehicle’s structures and
mechanisms to withstand severe loads and do the many mechanical actuations and separations
that must happen with split-second timing. A typical launch vehicle can have tens or even
hundreds of thousands of individual nuts, bolts, panels, and load-bearing structures that hold the
subsystems in place and take the loads and vibrations imposed by the engines’ thrust and the
atmosphere’s dynamic pressure. Because most of a launch vehicle’s volume contains propellant
tanks, these tanks tend to dominate the overall structural design. Often, they become part of the
primary load-bearing structure. For example, the Atlas launch vehicle, shown in Figure 4.2.1-
54, uses a thin-shelled tank that inflates with a small positive pressure to create the necessary
structural rigidity. In addition to the problem of launch loads and vibrations, hundreds of
individual mechanisms must separate stages and perform other dynamic actions throughout the
flight. These mechanisms are usually larger than similar mechanisms on spacecraft. During
staging, large sections of the vehicle’s structure must break apart, usually through explosive
bolts. Gimbaling the massive engines to change their thrust direction requires large hinges,
hydraulic arms, and supporting structure. Launch-vehicle designers have the challenge of
carefully integrating all of these structures and mechanisms with the engines, tanks, and other

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subsystems to create a compact, streamlined vehicle. Sadly, for expendable vehicles, all the
painstaking design and expensive construction and testing to build a reliable launch vehicle
burns up or drops in the ocean within 10 minutes after launch! Figure 4.2.1-55 shows a cut-
away view of the Ariane V launch vehicle. As you can see, the structure is mostly propellant
tanks.and engines. All the other subsystems squeeze into small boxes, tucked into the secondary
structure. Notice this vehicle, and all launch vehicles in use, have several sets of engines. Each
set comprises a separate stage. Next, we’ll see why all these stages are needed to get a
spacecraft to orbit.

Figure 5.1 Structure of Launching Vehicle

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Staging
Getting a payload into orbit is not easy. As we showed in Section 4.2.1.2, the state-of-
the-art in chemical rockets (the only type available with a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than 1.0)
can deliver a maximum Isp of about 470 s. Designers must account for the velocity change, ∆V,
needed to get into orbit and the hard realities of the rocket equation. So they must create a
launch vehicle that is mostly propellant. In fact, more than 80% of a typical launch vehicle’s
lift-off mass is propellant. Large propellant tanks that also add mass contain all this propellant.
Of course, the larger the mass of propellant tanks and other subsystems, the less mass is
available for payload. One way of reducing the vehicle’s mass on the way to orbit is to get rid of
stuff that’s no longer needed. After all, why carry all that extra tank mass along when the rocket
engines empty the tanks steadily during launch? Instead, why not split the propellant into
smaller tanks and then drop them as they empty? Fighter planes, flying long distances, use this
idea in the form of “drop tanks.” These tanks provide extra fuel for long flights and can be
dropped when they are empty, to lighten and streamline the plane. This is the basic concept of
staging.
Stages consist of propellant tanks, rocket engines, and other supporting subsystems that are
discarded to lighten the launch vehicle on the way to orbit. As the propellant in each stage is
used up, the stage drops off, and the engines of the next stage ignite (hopefully) to continue the
vehicle’s flight into space. As each stage drops off, the vehicle’s mass decreases, meaning a
smaller engine can keep the vehicle on track into orbit.

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Chapter 6
LAUNCHING OF SATELLITES
The process of placing the satellite in a proper orbit is known
as launching process. During this process, from earth stations we can control the operation of
satellite. Mainly, there are four stages in launching a satellite.
• First Stage − The first stage of launch vehicle contains rockets and fuel for lifting the
satellite along with launch vehicle from ground.
• Second Stage − The second stage of launch vehicle contains smaller rockets. These are
ignited after completion of first stage. They have their own fuel tanks in order to send
the satellite into space.
• Third Stage − The third (upper) stage of the launch vehicle is connected to the satellite
fairing. This fairing is a metal shield, which contains the satellite and it protects the
satellite.
• Fourth Stage − Satellite gets separated from the upper stage of launch vehicle, when it
has been reached to out of Earth's atmosphere. Then, the satellite will go to a “transfer
“transfer orbit”. This orbit sends the satellite higher into space.
When the satellite reached to the desired height of the orbit, its subsystems like solar panels and
communication antennas gets unfurled. Then the satellite takes its position in the orbit with
other satellites. Now, the satellite is ready to provide services to the public.

Chapter 7
ISRO’S LAUNCHING VEHICLES
Launch Vehicles are used to carry spacecraft to space. India
has two operational launchers: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous
Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). GSLV with indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage has enabled
the launching up to 2 tonne class of communication satellites. The next variant of GSLV is
GSLV Mk III, with indigenous high thrust cryogenic engine and stage, having the capability of
launching 4 tonne class of communication satellites.
In order to achieve high accuracy in placing satellites into their orbits, a combination of
accuracy, efficiency, power and immaculate planning are required. ISRO's Launch Vehicle

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Programme spans numerous centres and employs over 5,000 people. Vikram Sarabhai Space
Centre, located in Thiruvananthapuram, is responsible for the design and development of launch
vehicles. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre and ISRO Propulsion Complex, located at
Valiamala and Mahendragiri respectively, develop the liquid and cryogenic stages for these
launch vehicles. Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, is the space port of India and is
responsible for integration of launchers. It houses two operational launch pads from where all
GSLV and PSLV flights take place. India’s launching vehicles are

1) Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3)

2) Agumented Launch Vehicle
3) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle XL
4) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MK 2
5) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MK 3

Figure 7.1 ISRO Vehicles

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7.1 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle :

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch

vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. After its
first successful launch in October 1994, PSLV emerged as the reliable and versatile workhorse
launch vehicle of India with 39 consecutively successful missions by June 2017. During 1994-
2017 period, the vehicle has launched 48 Indian satellites and 209 satellites for customers from
abroad.

Besides, the vehicle successfully launched two spacecraft – Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars
Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013 – that later traveled to Moon and Mars respectively

Figure 7.12 PSLV

Vehicle Specifications
Height : 44 m
Diameter : 2.8 m
Number of Stages :4
Lift Off Mass : 320 tonnes (XL)
Variants : 3 (PSLV-G, PSLV - CA, PSLV - XL)
First Flight : September 20, 1993

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7.2 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle ( GSLV ):

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV
Mk II) is the largest launch vehicle developed by India, which is currently in operation. This
fourth generation launch vehicle is a three stage vehicle with four liquid strap-ons. The
indigenously developed cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), which is flight proven, forms the third
stage of GSLV Mk II. From January 2014, the vehicle has achieved four consecutive successes.

Figure 7.13 GSLV

Vehicle Specifications
Height : 49.13 m
Number of Stages :3
Lift Off Mass : 414.75 tonnes
First Flight : April 18, 2001

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Chapter 8
APPLICATIONS
• Weather forecasting. Weather forecasting is the prediction of the future of weather. The satellites
that are used to predict the future of weather are called weather satellites.

• Navigation. Generally, navigation refers to determining the geographical location of an

object.
• Astronomy. Astronomy is the study of celestial objects such as stars, planets, galaxies, natural
satellites, comets, etc.
• Satellite phone. Satellite phone is a type of mobile phone that uses satellites instead of cell towers
for transmitting the signal or information over long distances.
• Satellite television. Satellite television or satellite TV is a wireless system that uses communication
satellites to deliver the television programs or television signals to the users or viewers.
• Military satellite. Military satellite is an artificial satellite used by the army for various purposes such
as spying on enemy countries, military communication, and navigation.
• Satellite internet. Satellite internet is a wireless system that uses satellites to deliver the internet
signals to users.
• Satellite radio. Satellite radio is a wireless transmission service that uses orbiting satellites to deliver
the information or radio signals to the consumers.

Chapter 9
ADVANTAGES
• Satellite communication services being so portable and are very easy to install and also have user-
friendly as well

• The satellite communication services are very helpful for the people staying in a remote area

• The satellite communication services are very helpful for the department of defence where the
people on the fields used the wired service every time

• This service provides wider bandwidth based on SCPC or MCPC allocation types

• It covers a wide area of the earth hence entire country or region can be covered with just one satellite

• It is used for mobile as well as wireless communication applications find at independent of location

• It also co-exists with terrestrial microwave line of sight communication system

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Process of Launching Space Vehicles and Satellites

• It is easy to install and manage the cost per VSAT site

• It does not incur much of costs per VSAT site

• It has a small fading margin on the order of about 3 Db

• It is easy to obtain service from one single provider and also uniform service is also available

• It is used for voice, data and any other information transmission. Satellite services can be interfaced
with internet infrastructure to obtain internet service. It is also used as a GPS application

• It is used a wide variety of applications which include weather forecasting, aircraft, radio/TV,
connecting remote area, gathering intelligence in the military, navigation of ships, etc

• LEO and MEO both satellite types have lower propagation delay and lower losses compare to GEO
satellite.

DISADVANTAGES
• The satellite has a life which is about 12-15 years. Due to this fact, another launch has to be planned
before it becomes un-operational.
• Satellite manufacturing requires more time. Moreover, satellite design and development requires a
higher cost.
• Satellite once launched require to be monitored and controlled on regular periods so that it remains
in the orbit.
• The redundant component is used in the network design. This ensures more cost in the installation
phase.

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Process of Launching Space Vehicles and Satellites

Chapter 10
CONCLUSION
Because of launching process we can get more information about earth and other planets that helps us to
study about our earth and other panets. In future days our ISRO has to make many developments of new
technologies to get success in their missions. it is of interest to examine the behavior of the proposed launch
vehicle models under thermal loads and internal pressure loading.

Chapetr 11
REFERENCES
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December 2015.

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• Sandesh R Hegde, DivyanshuSahay,SSandya, Sandeep G M, Muralidhara, Nikhilesh K V Nitte

Mahalinga Adyanthaya “Design and Development of Inter-Satellite Separation Mechanism for Twin
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