PSLV Commercial Launch Vehicle

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is ISRO's workhorse rocket, operational since 1993. It has completed over 60 missions with a success rate exceeding 90%, and in a single 2017 mission launched a record 104 satellites simultaneously. The PSLV has deployed over 400 foreign satellites from 36 countries, generating commercial revenue through ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

The PSLV's reliability and low cost have made India a preferred launch provider for small and medium satellites. A PSLV launch costs $15-30 million, a fraction of Western alternatives. This pricing isn't subsidized — it reflects ISRO's lean engineering culture, domestic manufacturing, and lower labor costs. The rocket uses a combination of solid and liquid propulsion stages, with the flexibility to reach multiple orbits.

The commercial launch business is now transitioning. NSIL is taking over commercial operations from ISRO, allowing the space agency to focus on exploration and R&D. The newer Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) targets the growing market for dedicated small-sat launches. India's private space companies (Skyroot, Agnikul) are developing their own launch vehicles to complement ISRO's offerings, potentially making India a multi-provider launch hub.