🔆What is PSLV? ✅PSLV = Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, designed to launch satellites into sun-synchronous polar orbits (SSPO). ✅It is a four-stage rocket with sequentially firing engines, shedding stages to reduce weight during ascent. 📍Technical specifications: ✅First stage: Uses HTPB (hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) fuel, peak thrust ~4.8 MN; XL version adds 6 strap-on boosters for extra thrust. ✅Second stage: Powered by Vikas engine using unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (fuel) and nitrogen tetroxide (oxidiser), thrust ~0.8 MN. ✅Third stage: Uses HTPB fuel again. ✅Fourth stage: Uses monomethylhydrazine and mixed oxides of nitrogen with two engines. 📍PSLV-C61 mission specifics: ✅Launched May 18, 2023, at 5:59 am carrying EOS-09 satellite intended for SSPO. ✅Mission ended in failure due to a problem in the third stage. #gs3 #science_technology