India’s Space Mission Suffers Setback: EOS-09 Satellite Lost After PSLV Rocket Malfunction

India's space program faced a setback as the launch of the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite ended in failure after a problem arose during the third stage of the PSLV-C61 rocket's flight. The mission, which aimed to enhance India's Earth observation capabilities, was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This incident marks only the third failure in the 32-year history of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), a workhorse rocket for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

According to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, the PSLV's performance was normal up to the second stage. However, an observation during the third stage's functioning led to the mission's failure. "Third stage, motor started perfectly, but during the functioning of the third stage, we are seeing a observation, and the mission could not be accomplished. After analysis, we shall come back," Narayanan stated.

The EOS-09 satellite, equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payload, was intended to provide all-weather, day-and-night Earth imaging. This capability is crucial for various applications, including land-use mapping, disaster management, agriculture, forestry, and coastal security. Its ability to penetrate clouds and darkness would have ensured continuous surveillance, which is especially significant considering ongoing security concerns along India’s borders.

The PSLV is a four-stage vehicle renowned for its reliability and cost-effectiveness. It has been instrumental in numerous missions, including Chandrayaan-1 and the Mars Orbiter Mission. Notably, it achieved global recognition by launching 104 satellites in a single mission in 2017. The PSLV-C61 variant used in this launch featured six strap-on solid rocket boosters, known as the "XL" configuration. A closer look at the PSLV stages:

• PS1: Solid rocket motor with 6 strap-on boosters.
• PS2: Liquid engine (Vikas engine).
• PS3: Solid rocket motor for high thrust post-atmospheric phase.
• PS4: Two liquid-fuel engines for final orbital insertion.

This failure is a stark reminder of the complexities and risks inherent in space exploration. The previous PSLV failures occurred in 1993 and 2017, highlighting the constant need for vigilance and rigorous testing. ISRO is currently analyzing the data to determine the exact cause of the third-stage malfunction.

Despite this setback, India's space program remains a significant player in the global arena. Active in space research since the 1960s, India has successfully launched satellites for itself and other countries and achieved groundbreaking milestones, such as landing a spacecraft near the moon’s south pole in 2023. The space agency is expected to provide further updates on the investigation and future plans.

What are your thoughts on the future of India's space program after this incident? Share your opinions and insights in the comments below!

• EOS-09
• ISRO
• PSLV

Related issues news

What is the EOS 09 mission?

On May 18, 2025, India's space agency, ISRO, launched the PSLV-C61 rocket from Sriharikota to place the EOS-09 satellite into orbit. This satellite was meant to take pictures of the Earth for border security and disaster management, even in bad weather.

What is the EOS 09 satellite?

EOS-09 or Earth Observation Satellite-09 (formerly known as RISAT-1B) was an Indian Space Research Organisation Radar Imaging Satellite designed to provide continuous and reliable remote sensing data for operational applications across various sectors.

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