NEW DELHI, India.May 18(Correspondent LP) – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) encountered a rare technical setback during its PSLV-C61 mission on Sunday, failing to deploy the EOS-9 Earth observation satellite into its intended orbit. The rocket, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, experienced a sudden drop in chamber pressure during its third stage, leading to the mission’s partial failure.
“A decline in motor case pressure disrupted the mission’s success. We are analyzing the performance and will share findings promptly,” stated ISRO chief V Narayanan. While the agency investigates, a Failure Analysis Committee has been proposed to scrutinize the incident—marking only the third failure in the PSLV program’s 31-year history, following setbacks in 1993 and 2019.
This stumble contrasts with ISRO’s recent triumphs, including its historic Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing in August 2023, which positioned India as the fourth nation to reach the moon. The agency, renowned for cost-effective missions like the Mars Orbiter Mission (2014), has expanded its global footprint by launching satellites for over 40 countries. However, challenges persist: a 2019 moon landing attempt failed, and Sunday’s incident underscores the complexities of scaling ambitions amid tight budgets.
Despite the setback, ISRO’s track record remains robust, with plans for advanced projects like the Gaganyaan crewed spaceflight. The agency’s ability to learn from failures—evident in its swift post-mission reviews—highlights its resilience in an era of intensifying global space competition.
