When was PSLV first used in India? A. 1980 B. 1987 C. 1994 D. 2000
C
Understanding the PSLV's First Use in India
The question asks about the year when the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was first used in India. The PSLV is a significant launch vehicle developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
What is PSLV?
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is India's third generation launch vehicle. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. PSLV is primarily designed to deliver satellites into polar orbits, though it can also launch satellites into geostationary transfer orbits (GTO).
History of PSLV Launches
The development of PSLV was a major step for India's space program, aiming for self-reliance in satellite launch capabilities. Let's look at the initial flights:
- The first developmental flight of PSLV (PSLV-D1) took place on September 20, 1993. This mission was not successful in achieving the desired orbit due to a software error.
- The second developmental flight (PSLV-D2) was on October 15, 1994. This mission was successful and placed the IRS-P2 satellite into orbit.
When a launch vehicle is "first used", it typically refers to the first successful or operational mission that demonstrates its capability to perform its intended task. In this context, the first successful use of the PSLV occurred with its second developmental flight.
Analyzing the Options
The provided options are:
- A. 1980
- B. 1987
- C. 1994
- D. 2000
Based on the history of PSLV flights, the first successful mission took place in 1994.
Comparing the options with this information:
- 1980: This was the year of the first successful launch of the SLV-3, a much earlier launch vehicle by ISRO.
- 1987: This year falls between the SLV-3/ASLV era and the PSLV development.
- 1994: This is the year of the first successful PSLV mission (PSLV-D2).
- 2000: By this time, PSLV had completed several successful missions and was becoming operational.
Therefore, 1994 marks the year when the PSLV was first successfully used to place a satellite into orbit, which aligns with one of the given options.
| Year | Significant ISRO Launch Event (Context) |
|---|---|
| 1980 | First successful SLV-3 launch (Rohini satellite) |
| 1987 | ASLV missions were ongoing or starting |
| 1993 | First developmental PSLV flight (unsuccessful) |
| 1994 | First successful developmental PSLV flight |
| 2000 | PSLV was an established launch vehicle |
The year 1994 is when the PSLV demonstrated its capability successfully for the first time, effectively being 'used' to achieve its mission objective.
Revision Table: PSLV Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| First Developmental Flight (PSLV-D1) | September 20, 1993 |
| First Successful Developmental Flight (PSLV-D2) | October 15, 1994 |
Additional Information on PSLV and ISRO
The PSLV has become a workhorse launch vehicle for ISRO, known for its reliability and versatility. It has been used for launching various types of satellites, including:
- Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites
- Weather satellites
- Communication satellites (in GTO)
- Navigation satellites (like IRNSS/NavIC)
- Scientific missions (like Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission)
PSLV holds records for launching multiple satellites in a single mission. Its evolution includes different variants like PSLV-XL, PSLV-CA (Core Alone), and PSLV-DL.
The success of PSLV paved the way for the development of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) family, which is used for heavier satellites and geostationary orbits.
Important Questions from Satellite Communications
ISRO launched ______, it’s 42nd communication satellite, in December 2020.
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Because of technological strides in recent times, words and times as related to communication have become money.
Statement II: The technological convergence has contributed to the control of mass communication by a few corporates.
In the light of the above statements. choose the correct answer from the options given below
India’s first satellite was named after _______.
Consider the following statements:
a. The speed of telecommunication satellite relative to earth is zero.
b. Hence it appears to be stationary to a person on the earth.
With reference to satellite orbit, Perigee is the
