Setback for ISRO: PSLV-C61 Loses EOS-09 Satellite Minutes After Liftoff Due to Third-Stage Failure

India's space aspirations suffered an unusual setback on Sunday when ISRO's PSLV-C61 mission went awry in putting the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite into orbit, just a few minutes after lifting off from Sriharikota. The rocket completed the first two stages flawlessly, but a sudden drop in third-stage chamber pressure led to the failure to deliver the 1,696 kg satellite, which was equipped with state-of-the-art Synthetic Aperture Radar for day-and-night all-weather imaging.

 

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed the anomaly, stating that the third-stage motor began to fire normally but lost pressure, stranding the mission. Initial analysis points to a suspected failure of the flex nozzle control system, which controls the rocket in this stage. A Failure Analysis Committee will investigate the incident, which is only the third failure of the PSLV in 63 flights since 1993.

 

Source: Economic Times, India Today, Hindustan Times