GEOSYNCHRONOUS SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE
(GSLV)
About the Launch Vehicle
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II) is the largest launch vehicle developed by India, which is currently in operation. This fourth generation launch vehicle is a three stage vehicle with four liquid strap-ons. The indigenously developed cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), which is flight proven, forms the third stage of GSLV Mk II. From January 2014, the vehicle has achieved four consecutive successes.
Vehicle Specifications
Height | : 49.13 m |
Number of Stages | : 3 |
Lift Off Mass | : 414.75 tonnes |
First Flight | : April 18, 2001 |

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Payload to GTO: 2,500 kg
GSLV's primary payloads are INSAT class of communication satellites that operate from Geostationary orbits and hence are placed in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits by GSLV.
Payload to LEO: 5,000 kg
Further, GSLV's capability of placing up to 5 tonnes in Low Earth Orbits broadens the scope of payloads from heavy satellites to multiple smaller satellites.
Third Stage: CUS
Developed under the Cryogenic Upper Stage Project (CUSP), the CE-7.5 is India's first cryogenic engine, developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. CE-7.5 has a staged combustion operating cycle.
Fuel | : LOX + LH2 |
Max. Thrust | : 75 kN |
Burn-time | : 720 sec |
Second Stage: GS2
One Vikas engine is used in the second stage of GSLV. The stage was derived from the PS2 of PSLV where the Vikas engine has proved its reliability.
Engine | : Vikas |
Fuel | : UDMH + N2O4 |
Max. Thrust | : 800 kN |
Burntime | : 150 sec |
First Stage: GS1
The first stage of GSLV was also derived from the PSLV's PS1. The 138 tonne solid rocket motor is augmented by 4 liquid strap-ons.
Engine | : S139 |
Fuel | : HTPB |
Max. Thrust | : 4700 kN |
Burntime | : 100 sec |
Strap-on Motors
The four liquid engine strap-ons used in GSLV are heavier derivatives of PSLV's PS2, and use one Vikas engine each.
Fuel | : UDMH + N2O4 |
Max. Thrust | : 680 kN |
Burntime | : 160 sec |
GSLV Launches Till Date
SN | Title | Launch Date | Launcher Type | Orbit | Payload | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 | GSLV-F11 / GSAT-7A Mission | Dec 19, 2018 | GSLV | GSAT-7A | ||
12 | GSLV-F08/GSAT-6A Mission | Mar 29, 2018 | GSLV | GSO | GSAT-6A | |
11 | GSLV-F09 / GSAT-9 | May 05, 2017 | GSLV | GSO | GSAT-9 | |
10 | GSLV-F05 / INSAT-3DR | Sep 08, 2016 | GSLV-MK-II | GTO | INSAT-3DR | |
9 | GSLV-D6 | Aug 27, 2015 | GSLV-MK-II | GTO | GSAT-6 | |
8 | GSLV-D5/GSAT-14 | Jan 05, 2014 | GSLV-MK-II | GTO | GSAT-14 | |
7 | GSLV-F06 / GSAT-5P | Dec 25, 2010 | GSLV-MK-II | GTO | GSAT-5P | Mission Unsuccessful |
6 | GSLV-D3 / GSAT-4 | Apr 15, 2010 | GSLV-MK-II | GSAT-4 | Mission Unsuccessful | |
5 | GSLV-F04 / INSAT-4CR | Sep 02, 2007 | GSLV-MK-II | GTO | INSAT-4CR | |
4 | GSLV-F02 / INSAT-4C | Jul 10, 2006 | GSLV-MK-II | GTO | INSAT-4C | Mission Unsuccessful |
3 | GSLV-F01 / EDUSAT(GSAT-3) | Sep 20, 2004 | GSLV-MK-II | GTO | EDUSAT | |
2 | GSLV-D2 / GSAT-2 | May 08, 2003 | GSLV-MK-II | GTO | GSAT-2 | |
1 | GSLV-D1 / GSAT-1 | Apr 18, 2001 | GSLV-MK-II | GTO | GSAT-1 |