ISRO's 101st launch ends in setback as EOS-09 misses orbit
India's PSLV-C61 mission to launch the EOS-09 satellite faced a setback as the third-stage motor underperformed, forcing mission termination. The incident disrupts India's 52-satellite constellation programme, though ISRO remains poised for rapid recovery with four more launches planned for 2025.
News Arena Network - Sriharikota - UPDATED: May 18, 2025, 02:34 PM - 2 min read
PSLV-C61 lifts off from Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Sunday, carrying the EOS-09 satellite, before veering off course during the third stage, resulting in mission termination.
India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) mission suffered a rare setback early on Sunday as the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite failed to reach its intended orbit due to an anomaly in the third-stage propulsion system.
The rocket lifted off at 5:59 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota but veered off course during the PS3 solid rocket motor phase, leading the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to terminate the mission shortly after liftoff.
PSLV-C61 rocket carrying Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-09) lifts off from the first launch pad, in Sriharikota on Sunday.
The incident marks the PSLV programme's third full failure in 63 launches and its first since 2017.
Bad Luck: Minutes after its launch, ISRO loses EOS-09 satellite. This was ISRO's 101st launch.
According to early telemetry data, the third-stage motor, powered by hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant, underperformed 203 seconds into the flight, causing the 1,696 kg EOS-09 satellite to miss its target – a 524-km sun-synchronous polar orbit.
The satellite, equipped with a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for all-weather imaging, was intended to enhance India's border surveillance and disaster response capabilities.
"Early telemetry data indicates the third-stage motor did not perform," ISRO Chief V Narayanan confirmed during the live stream.
🚨 ISRO’s PSLV-C61 mission carrying Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09 into SSPO orbit COULD NOT be accomplished.
~ ISRO Chief confirms anomaly, says detailed analysis will follow. We will conquer next time 🇮🇳pic.twitter.com/jbYW1JLtvu
— The Analyzer (News Updates🗞️) (@Indian_Analyzer) May 18, 2025
Engineers are currently analysing flight data to determine whether the failure stemmed from propellant flow irregularities, nozzle anomalies, or potential structural issues.
A failure analysis committee has been formed to review the PS3 stage's manufacturing records and test protocols to pinpoint the exact cause.
The setback temporarily disrupts India's ambitious 52-satellite surveillance constellation programme, though ISRO has four more PSLV launches planned for 2025. The space agency has a history of swift recovery from such setbacks, often resuming launches within six months.
The PSLV-C61 mission carried special significance as ISRO's 101st launch, following 58 consecutive successes since 2017. However, the rocket's fourth stage and the satellite were destroyed through flight termination protocols, ensuring debris would fall safely.
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