ISRO’s 101st mission fails as PSLV develops snag minutes after lift-off
ISRO’s 101st mission fails as PSLV develops snag minutes after lift-off
(Source: Page 1 and 2, The Indian Express)
Topic:GS3: Science and Technology – Developments in Space Technology, Achievements of Indians in Science and Tech |
Context |
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What Happened?
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PSLV launch failed to insert EOS-09 into orbit.
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Issue occurred ~6 minutes after launch, during the 3rd stage.
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Drop in motor chamber pressure caused deviation from the calculated trajectory.
Technical Details:
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PSLV’s XL variant used (its 27th flight), a trusted four-stage launch vehicle.
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The altitude post-third stage was lower than expected, forcing ISRO to abort the live stream.
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Oxidizer valve failure possibly prevented orbital injection.
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EOS-09 remained functional but was in incorrect orbit.
Why It Matters?
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PSLV is ISRO’s most reliable vehicle, with rare failures (last: 2017 – C39 mission).
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This was the 101st mission by ISRO, 63rd using PSLV.
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The mission followed the earlier failure of NVS-02 in Jan 2025.
ISRO’s Response:
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Chairman V. Narayanan expressed confidence in identifying the fault swiftly.
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Former Chairman S. Somanath said such failures are part of long-term scientific progress.
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A failure analysis committee will publish findings.
Significance of EOS-09:
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1,700 kg Earth Observation satellite equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
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Capable of imaging Earth under all weather and light conditions.
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Intended to complement EOS-04 launched in 2022.
Analysis:
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The failure is significant due to PSLV’s strong success record; such setbacks are rare and draw attention globally.
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It highlights the need for improved quality checks, especially in third-stage propulsion systems.
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Despite the failure, ISRO’s transparency and readiness to investigate show institutional maturity.
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Operational delays in Earth observation impact national security, agriculture, and disaster response.
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In a competitive global space market, consistent reliability is essential to retain international clients.
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Failures like this are part of scientific advancement and help refine future mission protocols.
Conclusion/Way Forward
- Reaffirms importance of continuous improvement and diagnostics in space missions.
- Need for enhanced monitoring during third-stage propulsion.
- Strengthen mission resilience and promote transparency in failure analysis to preserve global credibility.
- India must continue investing in indigenous space tech to maintain leadership in affordable access to space.
Practice Question:
Setbacks in space exploration test a nation’s scientific resilience and innovation capacity. Examine the causes and implications of ISRO’s recent mission failures, and suggest policy and technological improvements for future space programs. (250 words, 15 marks) |