Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17), in its nineteenth flight, launches India's communication satellite GSAT-12 from the Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota, India. PSLV-C17 measuring 44.5 m height, with a lift off weight of 320 tonnes has four stages of solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately. In its XL Version, PSLV-XL uses six extended solid strap-on motors wherein each strap-on carries 12 tonnes of solid propellant. This is a second time such a configuration is being flown, earlier one being the PSLV-C11/Chandrayaan-I mission.

Salient feature of PSLV-C17/GSAT-12 Mission:

• For the first time, use of indigenously designed and developed On-Board computer (OBC) with Vikram 1601 processor in both primary and redundant chains of the vehicle. The OBC performs the functions of Navigation, Guidance and Control processing for the vehicle.
• Use of extended solid strap-on configuration.
• Satellite injection in elliptical transfer orbit sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
• Five burn strategy (2 perigee burn and 3 apogee burn) for placing the GSAT-12 satellite from its sub-GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) to Geostationary Orbit.