SLV-3

India Science & Technology Space

June 18, 1981

A commemorative postage stamp on the Launch of ‘SLV 3‘ Rocket with ‘Rohini‘ Satellite :

Issued by India

Issued on Jul 18, 1981

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 100 Paise

About :

SLV-3, India‘s first Satellite Launch Vehicle, successfully took off from Sriharikota Range (SHAR) in Andhra Pradesh on 18 July, 1980 and lofted 35 kg ROHINI Satellite in near earth orbit. India thus became the seventh member of the exclusive club of nations having their own satellite launch capability.
The main development work of SLV-3 was carried out at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. SHAR Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was responsible for the launch complex, tracking and telemetry systems, apart from the rocket motors’ propellant processing and their static testing. ISRO Satellite Centre made the Rohini Satellite and the Satellite Application Centre developed the tracking system receiver, telemetry antenna and telecommand Transponder. Major national industries and the Indian institutions contributed to designing, analysis, testing and fabrication of vehicle hardware and heavy structures.
SLV-3 has a length of 22.6 metres and take-off weight of 17 tonnes, and uses four solid propellant stage motors. The first stage is controlled by secondary injection thrust vector and fintip control in sharing mode, the second stage by bi-propellant reaction control system and the third stage by mono-propellant system. The fourth stage along with satellite interface and satellite is spin-stabilised. This fourth stage assembly is protected from aerodynamic heating while in flight by semi-monocoque honeycomb heat-shield.