In a rare setback for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the EOS-09 satellite launch aboard the PSLV-C61 could not be accomplished due to a technical issue in the rocket’s third stage, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan confirmed on Sunday.
“The first two stages performed as expected. During the third stage, we observed an anomaly. The mission could not be accomplished. We are studying the performance and will come back at the earliest,” Narayanan said at a press conference.
ISRO also acknowledged the issue on social media, posting:
“Today, the 101st launch was attempted. PSLV-C61 performance was normal till the 2nd stage. Due to an observation in the 3rd stage, the mission could not be accomplished.”
🚀 Technical Breakdown: What Went Wrong
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a four-stage launch vehicle. The third stage — a solid rocket motor providing 240 kN of thrust — is critical in transitioning the launch vehicle after the atmospheric phase.
It was during this stage that ISRO detected an anomaly. The full flight sequence involved:
- Ignition of PS1 and PSOM boosters
- Staging and ignition of second and third stages
- Separation of the satellite (planned)
- Orbit Change Thrusters (OCT) for controlled deorbiting of the PS4 stage
However, the issue in the third stage prevented EOS-09 from reaching its intended Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO).
🛰️ Mission Goals and EOS-09’s Importance
The EOS-09 is a state-of-the-art Earth Observation Satellite, equipped with C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, which allows:
- High-resolution imaging
- All-weather, day-night monitoring
- Strategic applications including:
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Disaster management
- Border surveillance
Importantly, the satellite was designed with deorbiting fuel, reflecting ISRO’s commitment to responsible space operations and orbital sustainability.
🇮🇳 A Rare Setback in a Stellar Track Record
This was ISRO’s 101st launch mission, and the 63rd flight of the PSLV — a workhorse known for its reliability. It also marked the 27th use of the PSLV-XL configuration.
While the mission failed to deploy the satellite, space experts and former ISRO officials noted that setbacks are part of space exploration and expressed confidence in the organisation’s quick recovery and rigorous post-mission analysis.