Union Cabinet approved PSLV Continuation Programme for launching 15 flights PSLV-C36 to PSLV-C50

The Union Cabinet on 21 May 2015 approved Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Continuation Programme consisting of fifteen operational flights PSLV-C36 to PSLV-C50.

As part of the programme fifteen operational flights PSLV-C36 to PSLV-C50 will be launched during the period 2017-2020 at a cost of around 3090 crore rupees.

The programme will help meet the demand for the launch of satellites at a frequency of four to five launches per year, with a greater focus on enhancing the level of participation by the Indian industry.

It will also enable the launch of satellites required for Earth Observation, Navigation and Space Sciences along with the possibility of clinching commercial launch service contracts.

PSLV Success Story
Since its first operational flight in 1997, the PSLV has made the country self-reliant in the launching capability of satellites for earth observation, disaster management, navigation and space sciences. It has also emerged as a versatile vehicle to carry out Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO), Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and low inclination Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions.

So far, PSLV has completed three developmental and twenty-five operational flights and the last twenty-seven flights have been successively successful. The last successful launch was of PSLV-C26 that took place on 16 October 2014.

The PSLV Continuation Programme will sustain this capability and self-reliance in the launching of similar satellites for national requirements.

Now get latest Current Affairs on mobile, Download # 1 Current Affairs App