What is the full form of ASLV

ASLV: Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle

ASLV stands for Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle. It is a launch vehicle which is designed and operated by ISRO. It was developed to augment the payload capacity to 150 kg (thrice that of SLV-3), so that satellites weighing up to 150 kg could be placed into Low Earth Orbits (LEO).

It is a five stage vehicle that uses solid propellant in all the five stages. It is 24 meters in length with lift off weight of around 40 tonnes. The ASLV project began in the early 1980s to develop the technologies required to place a payload into a geostationary orbit. In this project, ISRO also mastered the strap-on technology which is widely used in the PSLV programme of ISRO. The payload of ASLV was Stretched Rohini Satellite series.

Under the ASLV programme four development flights were conducted from the SLV launch pad at the Sriharikota High Altitude Range:

• The first developmental flight was conducted on March 24, 1987. It was not successful.
• The second developmental flight was conducted on July 13, 1988. It was not successful.
• The third developmental flight was conducted on 20 May, 1992. It was a partial failure.
• The fourth developmental flight was conducted on 4 May 1994. It was successful.

After the final launch in the year 1994, the ASLV program was indefinitely disbanded or terminated.