In a surprise twist, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) stated that the PSLV-C61/EOS-09 mission could not be achieved, a rare failure for India’s very reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) programme.
The mission, to launch the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09 and co-passenger payloads to orbit, suffered an anomaly after a few seconds of liftoff. This is among the rare occasions in the past few years when a PSLV mission has not been able to deliver its desired purpose.
What Went Wrong?
A terse statement put out by ISRO reads:
The PSLV-C61 mission that launched EOS-09 did not reach its planned orbit because of an anomaly of a technical nature. Investigations to identify the reason are in progress.”
Though ISRO has not issued a comprehensive post-mission report, preliminary signs indicate that there was likely a problem during second or third stage separation, which led to mission failure.
About the PSLV-C61/EOS-09 Mission
About the PSLV-C61/EOS-09 Mission
- Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C61, India’s most reliable launch vehicle with more than 50 successful flights.
- Primary Payload: EOS-09, an Earth Observation Satellite that will further augment
agricultural, urban planning, and disaster management uses by high-resolution imagery. - Co-passenger Payloads: Also carried smaller satellites belonging to domestic and
foreign customers, as part of ISRO’s increasing commercialization efforts.
The launch was from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, with real-time coverage and tracking provided through ISRO systems.
A Rare Setback for ISRO
PSLV has been a workhorse of the Indian space program, famously placing more than 300 satellites to orbit, including such missions as Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, and several commercial payloads. This failure is just the second major glitch in PSLV’s operational history, the previous one being the PSLV-C39 mission in 2017, where the fairing failed to split off.
Space mission setbacks are not rare and are accepted as part of the intensive learning and innovation process in space travel. As ISRO officials frequently comment, every anomaly provides data and insight that drives future success.
What's Next?
ISRO has also established a failure analysis committee of its best scientists and engineers to probe the anomaly and provide a detailed report. Given its previous experience, a prompt corrective action plan and revised mission timeline can be anticipated in the next few months.
ISRO is also gearing up to undertake some major launches, such as Gaganyaan (India’s first manned space mission) and future interplanetary missions. This failure, though disappointing, will not jeopardize ISRO’s overall direction or global image.
Industry Reaction
Even though the failed mission has disillusioned stakeholders, the scientific fraternity and space experts have stood by ISRO, acknowledging its consistent record and tenacity.
Social media too witnessed a wave of public support, with hashtags #ISROStrong and #ProudOfISRO trending as people showed solidarity with the space agency.
Conclusion
The failure of the PSLV-C61/EOS-09 mission to accomplish its objective is a humbling reminder of the risks and sophistication involved in space exploration. Yet ISRO’s history also indicates that failures are stepping stones to future successes. With ongoing innovation, international cooperation, and public support, India’s space odyssey continues on track.
Pingback: Multibagger Small-Cap Below Rs 100