The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a rare setback as its trusted workhorse, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV C-61), failed for the first time in 8 years and for the third time in 32 years.
The PSLV-C61 rocket launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on May 18, 2025, at 5:59 AM IST, marking ISRO’s 101st mission and PSLV’s 63rd flight. The PSLV-C61/EOS-09 mission aimed to deploy the Earth observation satellite (EOS-09) into a sun-synchronous polar orbit.
The first and second stages of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) operated as expected. During the third stage, an anomaly caused a drop in chamber pressure within the motor case, resulting in mission failure and the loss of the EOS-09 satellite.
ISRO chairman, V. Narayanan, announced, “The first two stages were completed successfully. However, an anomaly was observed in the third stage—a drop in chamber pressure in the motor case. Once we identified the issue, we (ISRO) realized the mission could not be accomplished.” “After analysis, we shall come back,” he added.
The lost satellite, EOS-09 satellite was designed to provide continuous and reliable remote sensing data for operational applications across various sectors. The satellite was intended to operate alongside its predecessor, EOS-04, to guarantee a smooth continuation of crucial microwave data in the C-band, thereby improving Earth observation capabilities.
The radar payload was designed to monitor essential applications, including agriculture, forestry, and plantations, under all weather conditions. It was also intended to assess flooding across the nation and evaluate surface water spread. However, the PSLV failure has resulted in a significant setback for this mission. As of the time this article was published, there have been no other updates regarding the failure or any plans for replacement missions.
