Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India]: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan on Wednesday acknowledged the setback in the recent PSLV-C61/EOS-09 mission but emphasized that 2025 remains a milestone year for India’s space programme, with ambitious missions including Chandrayaan-4, Chandrayaan-5, and three uncrewed missions on the horizon.
Speaking to ANI during his visit to the Central Toolroom and Training Centre (CTTC) in Bhubaneswar, Narayanan said,
“The PSLV-C61 mission faced a setback during the third stage due to a drop in chamber pressure, which impacted the fourth stage performance and led to a mission loss. A national-level committee is investigating the cause.”
PSLV-C61 Mission Setback
On May 18, ISRO’s 101st mission suffered a rare failure when EOS-09, aboard PSLV-C61, failed to complete its mission. The launch commenced smoothly from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, with both the first and second stages performing nominally. However, a drop in chamber pressure during the third stage, which utilizes a solid rocket motor, caused the mission to be aborted before the payload could be deployed.
This setback marks a rare deviation in ISRO’s otherwise robust track record.
Looking Ahead: A Visionary Roadmap
Despite the temporary setback, Narayanan expressed full confidence in the future of India’s space ambitions, stating:
“2025 still remains a landmark year with Chandrayaan-4, Chandrayaan-5, and three uncrewed missions lined up. India’s space programme is moving steadily towards ensuring food, water, and power security while preparing for the country’s first human spaceflight by 2027.”
The Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 missions will build upon the success of Chandrayaan-3, with Chandrayaan-4 slated to focus on collecting lunar soil and rock samples for return to Earth—an ambitious step toward planetary science and resource exploration.
Gaganyaan by 2027
India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, is scheduled for 2027, and ISRO is laying the groundwork through multiple uncrewed test missions to ensure astronaut safety and mission reliability.
Narayanan concluded by highlighting that India’s expanding space programme is increasingly geared toward strategic national goals, such as food security, water management, and energy sustainability, further integrating space science with social and economic development.