SLV-3, India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle, successfully took off from Sriharikota Range (SHAR) in Andhra Pradesh on 18 July, 1980 and lofted 35 kg ROHINI Satellite in near earth  orbit. India thus became the seventh member of the exclusive club of nations having their own satellite launch capability.

The main development work of SLV-3 was carried out at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. SHAR  Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was responsible for the launch complex, tracking and telemetry systems, apart from the rocket motors' propellant processing and their static testing. ISRO Satellite Centre made the Rohini Satellite and the Satellite Application Centre developed the tracking system receiver, telemetry antenna and telecommand Transponder. Major national industries and the Indian institutions contributed to designing, analysis, testing and fabrication of vehicle hardware and heavy structures.

SLV-3 has a length of 22.6 metres and take-off weight of 17 tonnes, and uses four solid propellant stage motors. The  first stage is controlled  by secondary injection thrust vector and fintip control in sharing mode, the second stage by bipropellant reaction control system and the third stage by mono propellant system.  The  fourth stage along with satellite  interface and satellite is  spin-stabilised.  This  fourth stage assembly is protected from aerodynamic heating while in flight by semi­monocoque honeycomb heat shield. The vehicle also has a destruct system, which can be operated from ground to terminate the flight in  case of  vehicle  malfunction.

The equipment bay has 172 subsystems and a complex sub-assembly. The guidance subsystems  help  steer  and  maintain the vehicle along a predetermined  path. The vehicle telemetry monitors subsystems' performance, the telecommand provides contingent action in case of malfunctioning; and the tracking systems are for locating the vehicle in its trajectory.

The launch vehicle and the Satellite is assembled with the launcher and shot into space from the launch complex. The automatic checkout system continuously monitors the vehicle parameters till the launch. Mission control and range safety are  performed from the control centre. The ground telemetry,  tracking and command stations acquire data from the vehicle and monitor its performance in flight until the satellite is in orbit. The network of ISRO's ground stations track the orbiting satellite.

Indian P & T Department is privileged to commemorate the Indian space research achievements and the successful launch of SLV-3 by issuing a special stamp.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India