The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a major setback on May 18 during its 101st major rocket launch, as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) failed to successfully place the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09 into orbit. The much-anticipated mission, meant to demonstrate the continued reliability of ISRO’s workhorse rocket, started off successfully but encountered issues just minutes into the flight.
According to an official statement released by ISRO via its social media channels, the PSLV-C61 performed nominally through its first and second stages. However, an anomaly was detected in the third stage, causing the mission to fail and resulting in the loss of the EOS-09 payload. The organization stated, “Today, the 101st launch was attempted. PSLV-C61 performance was normal till the second stage. Due to an observation in the third stage, the mission could not be accomplished.” ISRO has assured that a detailed investigation and analysis will follow to determine the root cause.
The mission was significant not only because of the milestone launch but also because of the advanced technology onboard. The EOS-09 was a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite equipped with C-band synthetic aperture radar, capable of capturing high-resolution images in all weather conditions. The satellite was intended to boost India’s surveillance capabilities and support national defense objectives.
One of the key features of the EOS-09 was its sustainable design. It included deorbiting fuel, which would have enabled a safer end-of-life disposal, aligning with global efforts toward reducing space debris.
This incident is a rare hiccup for ISRO’s PSLV series, which has long enjoyed a reputation for reliability and success across a wide array of missions and payload types. Despite this failure, ISRO emphasized in its statement that the PSLV has consistently delivered dependable results in the past.
As India’s space agency prepares to conduct a thorough analysis, the nation and the global space community await further updates. The loss of EOS-09 marks a temporary setback, but ISRO’s commitment to innovation and excellence in space exploration remains steadfast.
