Studying entire performance, says ISRO chief V Narayanan after EOS-09 satellite launch mission fails

ANI May 18, 2025 281 views

ISRO's PSLV-C61 mission carrying the EOS-09 satellite failed during the third stage. Chief V Narayanan confirmed the anomaly while assuring a thorough performance review. The satellite was designed for advanced Earth observation with all-weather imaging capabilities. ISRO remains committed to sustainable space operations despite the setback.

"The mission could not be accomplished. We are studying the entire performance; we shall come back at the earliest." – V Narayanan, ISRO Chief
Sriharikota, May 18: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chief V Narayanan confirmed that the launch of the EOS-09 satellite, which was launched on Sunday, could not be accomplished, and scientists are further studying the entire performance.

Key Points

1

PSLV-C61 launch failed at 3rd stage despite normal initial performance

2

EOS-09 was meant for Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit with high-resolution imaging

3

ISRO studying anomaly to determine cause of mission failure

4

Satellite equipped with deorbiting fuel for responsible space operations

Addressing a press conference, V Narayanan said the first two stages after the launch performed as expected, and the problem was detected at the third stage.

"Today we attempted a launch of the PSLV-C61 vehicle. The vehicle is a 4-stage vehicle. The first two stages performed as expected. During the 3rd stage, we are seeing observation. The mission could not be accomplished. We are studying the entire performance; we shall come back at the earliest," Narayanan said.

The ISRO also posted on X about the development, "Today, the 101st launch was attempted; PSLV-C61 performance was normal till the 2nd stage. Due to an observation in the 3rd stage, the mission could not be accomplished."

The flight sequence of the PSLV-C-61 consists of various stages, starting from the ignition of PS1 and PSOM at the ground to the separation of various sections, to finally the separation of the satellite from the rocket.

According to the ISRO chief, the problem was detected at the third stage, which is a solid rocket motor which provides the upper stage with a high thrust after the atmospheric phase of the launch. This stage has a maximum thrust of 240 Kilonewtons.

This was ISRO's 101st launch, in which they launched the Earth Orbiting Satellite, also known as EOS-09, which was supposed to be put in a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO).

The plan was for the EOS-09 satellite to be deployed as Orbit Change Thrusters (OCT) will be used to lower the altitude of the PS4 stage. This will be followed by passivation, a measure aimed at reducing the stage's orbital life and ensuring responsible space operations. EOS-09 is designed to deliver continuous and reliable remote sensing data for use in various operational sectors.

Notably, this launch was also aligned with promoting sustainability and carrying out responsible space operations, as the EOS-09 is equipped with deorbiting fuel for safely disposing of it after the mission.

EOS-09 is an advanced Earth observation satellite equipped with C-band synthetic aperture radar technology. It can capture high-resolution images of the Earth's surface under all weather conditions, day or night. This capability enhances India's surveillance and management systems across multiple sectors.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Disappointing but failures are part of any space program. ISRO has given us many proud moments - one setback doesn't change that. The important thing is they're being transparent about it and studying the issue. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
The third stage failure is concerning - this is supposed to be our most reliable rocket. Maybe ISRO is stretching itself too thin with so many missions? Quality over quantity should be the mantra. Still, better to fail now than with crewed missions coming up.
A
Arjun S.
This EOS-09 satellite was important for weather monitoring and disaster management. Hope ISRO can quickly identify the issue and schedule a new launch. Our farmers and coastal communities depend on this data. 🙏
S
Sunita R.
The fact that ISRO immediately acknowledged the failure shows their professionalism. Remember when we used to hide such things? Progress is not just about success but also about how we handle setbacks. Proud of our scientists!
V
Vikram J.
The SAR technology in EOS-09 would have been crucial for monitoring our borders too. With China constantly building infrastructure near LAC, we need these eyes in the sky. ISRO should prioritize getting this satellite up ASAP.
N
Neha P.
Every space agency faces failures - NASA, ESA, even SpaceX. What matters is learning from them. ISRO's track record is still impressive considering their budget is fraction of others'. More funding needed for space research!
K
Karan D.
The deorbiting fuel feature shows ISRO

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published


Disclaimer: Comments here reflect the author's views alone. Insulting or using offensive language against individuals, communities, religion, or the nation is illegal.

Tags:
ISRO EOS-09 PSLV-C61 satellite launch failure V Narayanan space mission