ISRO’s PSLV-C61 mission failed to place EOS-09 into orbit due to a third-stage malfunction, raising concerns about India’s space readiness.

About ISRO’s PSLV-C61 Mission

• Launch Details: The PSLV-C61 was the 63rd flight of ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the 27th in its extended XL configuration.
• Mission Goal: To launch EOS-09, a remote sensing Earth Observation Satellite, into a Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO).
• Reason for PSLV-C61 Failure
  • Identified Cause: A drop in chamber pressure in the vehicle’s third-stage solid motor led to the failure.
  • Outcome: The vehicle failed to achieve the required altitude and could not insert EOS-09 into the desired orbit.
  • Precedent: The incident follows the earlier NVS-02 navigation satellite launch failure in January 2025.

About Earth Observation Satellite (EOS)

• An EOS is a satellite designed to monitor and collect data about the Earth’s surface, atmosphere, and oceans using remote sensing technology.
• India’s Earth Observation Satellites
• • India operates a series of EOS under ISRO for agriculture, forestry, water resources, urban planning, and disaster management.
  • Notable Indian EOS include Cartosat, Resourcesat, RISAT, and Oceansat.
  • EOS-01, launched in 2020, is used for agriculture, forestry, and disaster monitoring.

Strategic Significance of Satellites

• Real-Time Surveillance and Reconnaissance
  • Example: EOS-09 was  equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for all-weather, high-resolution imaging, even during cloud cover or nighttime.
  • Supports tactical military decisions, border monitoring, and battlefield awareness.
• Navigation and Precision Targeting
  • US – GPS (Global Positioning System): Backbone for missile guidance and troop navigation.
  • Russia – GLONASS: Used in guided munitions and autonomous systems.
  • China – BeiDou: Integral to the PLA’s command and control systems.
  • India – NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation): Designed for regional military positioning and navigation independence.
• Communication and Coordination: Satellites enable secure, long-range communication for troops and command centres in inaccessible terrain.
• Disaster Response and Civil-Military Use: Earth observation satellites also aid in disaster relief, resource mapping, and infrastructure monitoring, offering dual-use benefits.