PSLV-C61 mission could not be accomplished due to third stage pressure issue

PSLV-C61 Mission Failure – ISRO’s 101st Mission

• Date: 18 May 2025
• Agency: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Mission: PSLV-C61 carrying Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-09)
• Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota
• Time: 5:59 AM

Key Event:

• The PSLV-C61 lifted off successfully with normal performance in the first and second stages.
• The third stage motor started perfectly but developed a pressure issue, leading to mission failure.
• Announcement made by ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan: “Mission not accomplished.”

Mission Details:

• Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C61 (63rd PSLV flight, 27th in PSLV-XL configuration)
• Vehicle Specs: 44.5 m tall, 321 tonnes lift-off mass
• Payload: EOS-09 (Earth Observation Satellite) – intended for all-weather remote sensing in Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO)
• Satellite Weight: ~1696 kg (heaviest satellite ever built by ISRO for such a mission)

Significance:

• Was expected to enhance remote sensing applications (agriculture, disaster management, urban planning).
• Failure is seen as a setback for India’s space programme, especially as ISRO is gearing up for Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-5, and Mangalyaan missions.
• Demonstrates the technical challenges of multi-stage rockets.

Exam Pointers:

• PSLV: 4-stage rocket (solid-liquid-solid-liquid) → known as ISRO’s workhorse rocket.
• This was ISRO’s 101st mission overall.
• Failure underscores importance of rigorous stage testing in future missions.
  
  Updated - 18 May 2025, 9:48 am | The News Indian Express