Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle

Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle

Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle
Function	Small launch vehicle
Manufacturer	ISRO
Country of origin	India
Size
Height	24 metres (79 ft)
Diameter	1 metre (3.3 ft)
Mass	41,000 kilograms (90,000 lb)
Capacity
Payload to 400km LEO	150 kilograms (330 lb)
Associated rockets
Family	SLV, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV
Launch history
Status	Retired
Launch sites	Sriharikota
Total launches	4
Successes	1
Failures	2
Partial failures	1
First flight	24 March 1987
Last flight	4 May 1994
Notable payloads	SROSS
First stage
Engines	2 solid
Thrust	502.6 kilonewtons (113,000 lbf) each
Specific impulse	253 sec
Burn time	49 seconds
Fuel	Solid
Second stage
Engines	1 solid
Thrust	702.6 kilonewtons (158,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	259 sec
Burn time	45 seconds
Fuel	Solid
Third stage
Engines	1 solid
Thrust	304 kilonewtons (68,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	276 sec
Burn time	36 seconds
Fuel	Solid
Fourth stage
Engines	1 solid
Thrust	90.7 kilonewtons (20,400 lbf)
Specific impulse	277 sec
Burn time	45 seconds
Fuel	Solid
Fifth stage
Engines	1 solid
Thrust	35 kilonewtons (7,900 lbf)
Specific impulse	281 sec
Burn time	33 seconds
Fuel	Solid

The Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle or Advanced Satellite Launch Vehicle', also known as ASLV, was a five-stage solid-fuel rocket developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to place 150 kg satellites into LEO. This project was started by India during the early 1980s to develop technologies needed for a payload to be placed into a geostationary orbit. Its design was based on Satellite Launch Vehicle. ISRO did not have sufficient funds for both the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle programme and the ASLV programme at the same time and the ASLV programme was terminated after the initial developmental flights. The payloads of ASLV were Stretched Rohini Satellites.

The ASLV was a five-stage vehicle. Two strap-on boosters acted as a first stage, with the core stage igniting after booster burn out. The payload capacity of the ASLV was approximately 150 kg to an orbit of 400 km with a 47-degree inclination.

At liftoff, the ASLV generated 92,780 kgf of thrust. It was a 41,000 kilogram rocket, measuring 23.5 metres in length with a core diameter of one metre.

The ASLV made four launches, of which one was successful, two failed to achieve orbit, and a third achieved a lower than planned orbit which decayed quickly. The type made its maiden flight on 24 March 1987, and its final flight on 4 May 1994.

All four ASLV launches occurred from the SLV Launch Pad at the Sriharikota High Altitude Range. The launch pad was converted to an ASLV launch complex after the closure of SLV launch programme.