PSLV-DL

Why is it in news?
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) planning to keep the fourth and final stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) ‘alive’ in space as a useful ‘orbital platform’.
  • The PSLV rocket — popularly dubbed ISRO’s trusted workhorse — is getting added features.
More in news
  • New variant of the PSLV- “PSLV-DL”:
    (1) Upcoming PSLV-C44 mission will see a new variant of the PSLV in use.
    (2) This variant, tagged PSLV-DL, will be the first to sport two strap-on boosters for providing added thrust.
    (3) It’s final and fourth stage — PS4 — will be equipped with lithium-ion batteries, but no solar panels.
    (4) An in-house technology, the lithium-ion cells are critical to keep the spent stage in orbit.
  • Aimed to reduce space debris:
    (1) Idea of transforming the expendable fourth stage into a makeshift satellite is to reduce space debris.
    (2) In a normal scenario, the initial stages of the rocket, once they detach, drop back into the sea.
    (3) However, stage four, after releasing the payload, wanders around in space as junk.
Source
The Hindu




Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 12th Jan 2019
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