SLV 3

Based on the experience of designing and making sounding rockets, ISRO started to build a satellite launch vehicle. The four-stage rocket, called SLV-3, powered by solid propellants, launched on August 10, 1979 was partly successful. Subsequent successful missions were accompished in 1980, 1981 and 1983. On 17th April 1983, SLV-3 blasted off from Sriharikota put a 41.5 Kg Rohini Satellite into Near-East orbit of nearly 400 km by 850 km elliptical path. Rohini circled the earth every 99 minutes. It carried a solid state camera, called SMART sensor, which took images for identifying landmarks and it ended its mission on September 24, 1984.