NEWTOWN, Conn. - The PSLV primarily carries payloads into low-Earth orbit; however, it has successfully carried payloads, such as the GSAT-12, into geosynchronous orbit. This will make it useful for carrying smaller communications satellites, which are necessary for providing video and telecommunications services over the Indian subcontinent. Additionally, the launch vehicle has had a role in India's space exploration plans. PSLV's are used to carry lunar Chandrayaan missions and India's Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft.
While the PSLV primarily serves the Indian market, the reliability and low price of the launch vehicle is beginning to attract international attention. Contracts for satellite launches have come from organizations in Canada, Indonesia, Germany, and Luxembourg. In 2012 a PSLV carried France's SPOT-6 into orbit, in 2013 a PSLV carried SPOT-7 into orbit, and in 2015 a PSLV carried Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd's DMC-3 constellation into orbit. Going forward, PSLVs will carry Singapore's TeLEOS-1 into orbit. ISRO will also continue to market the launch vehicle on the international market.
Competition for lightweight launch vehicles is intense. Retired intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) dominate much of the market. The PSLV could also face competition from newer launch vehicles, such as the European Vega and Japan's Epsilon. However, a steady manifest from the ISRO, along with increasing contracts on the international market, puts the PSLV on sound footing. Forecast International expects production to remain steady through the forecast period.
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