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.
Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO)
- SSPO is a near-polar orbit where a satellite passes over the same Earth region at the same local solar time daily. It is typically at altitudes of 600–800 km.
- Purpose: Ideal for Earth observation, weather monitoring, and remote sensing, ensuring consistent lighting conditions for imaging across different geographic locations.
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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
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- 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.
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