PSLV-C1

PSLV-C1 was the overall fourth mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) program by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The vehicle carried IRS-1D satellite which was deployed in the Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). This was India's first launch vehicle built without Russian assistance and PSLV's first operational flight placed IRS-1D into a polar orbit. However, it could not place the satellite in the desired circular orbit but in an elliptical orbit due to a leak of helium gas from one of the components. The mission was termed partial failure since the satellite could not be placed at the desired altitude.

Mission parameters

 * Mass:
 * Total liftoff weight: 294000 kg
 * Payload weight: 1250 kg


 * Overall height: 44.4 m


 * Propellant:
 * Stage 1: Solid HTPB based
 * Stage 2: Liquid UH 25 +
 * Stage 3: Solid HTPB based
 * Stage 4: Liquid MMH + MON-3


 * Altitude: 826 km


 * Maximum velocity: 7436 m/s (recorded at time of fourth stage cut-off)


 * Inclination: 98.7°


 * Period: 1090.52 seconds

Launch
PSLV-C1 was launched at 04:47 UTC on 29 September 1997 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (then called "Sriharikota Launching Range"). The vehicle placed the IRS-1D satellite in the Sun-synchronous orbit.