The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a rare setback on Sunday as its attempt to place the EOS-09 surveillance satellite into orbit ended in failure. The satellite was launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, but a technical anomaly during the third stage of flight derailed the mission.
According to preliminary reports, the chamber pressure in the third stage motor case dropped unexpectedly, leading to the satellite failing to achieve its intended orbit. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan acknowledged the malfunction and assured that a detailed review is underway. “We are currently analyzing the mission’s performance. A complete assessment will follow once we have all the data,” Narayanan stated during a press briefing.
A Rare Hiccup in a Stellar Track Record
Despite this recent failure, ISRO remains widely respected in the global space community for its cost-effective, high-impact missions. The agency has a long history of success in launching both domestic and international satellites. In 2014, ISRO made history by becoming the first Asian agency to reach Mars orbit and in 2023, India joined the elite club of countries to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon, a feat only the U.S., Russia, and China had previously accomplished.
Failures are extremely rare for the PSLV, one of ISRO’s most reliable workhorses. Since its debut in 1993, the PSLV has had only three recorded failures, including Sunday’s incident. The vehicle has otherwise completed over 50 successful missions, making it a cornerstone of India’s space ambitions.
Investigation Underway
To determine the root cause of the malfunction, ISRO will form a Failure Analysis Committee, composed of top scientists and engineers. The committee will review telemetry data, flight conditions, and component integrity to identify what went wrong and recommend corrective measures to prevent similar issues in future missions.
Looking Ahead
Though this failure marks a moment of disappointment, ISRO remains committed to advancing India’s space capabilities. The agency has numerous missions lined up, including future launches related to satellite communications, Earth observation, and interplanetary exploration.
As ISRO continues its investigation, the global scientific community watches with anticipation, knowing that setbacks are part of the journey in space exploration—and that ISRO has a strong record of learning, adapting, and achieving.