ISRO’s earth observation mission fails, third such failure of PSLV since 1993
In News
- ISRO’s PSLV-C61 mission to deploy Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-09) into Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) failed on May 18, 2025.
- ISRO reported that the launch vehicle performed normally till Stage-2, but due to an observation in the 3rd stage, the mission could not be accomplished.
About EOS-09 Mission
- Satellite: Earth Observation Satellite – 09 (EOS-09).
- Payload: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) → capable of all-weather, day-night, high-resolution imaging.
- Applications:
- Surveillance & reconnaissance.
- Weather pattern analysis.
- Disaster monitoring (floods, wildfires, cyclones).
- Agricultural and environmental applications.
About PSLV-C61
- Vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), ISRO’s workhorse since 1993.
- Target Orbit:Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO).
- Ensures satellites pass over the same area at the same local solar time → useful for consistent imaging.
Past PSLV Failures
- 1993 – Maiden flight failure
- Cause: Software error in guidance & control system + retro-rocket malfunction.
- 2017 – PSLV-C39 failure
- Cause: Payload fairing did not separate → satellite trapped inside rocket.
- 2025 – PSLV-C61 failure
- Cause: Technical anomaly during 3rd stage.
🔹 Out of 101 PSLV launches, only 3 have failed, giving PSLV a ~97% success rate.
Significance & Concerns
- Strategic Loss: EOS-09 was crucial for high-resolution earth observation → affects India’s surveillance & disaster management capabilities.
- Reliability Question: PSLV, considered one of the most reliable vehicles, faces scrutiny after rare failures.
- Future Focus: Greater emphasis on stage testing, redundancy mechanisms, and real-time anomaly detection.
Updated - 10:56 PM May 18, 2025 | The Tribune