National: A planned launch by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) encountered an unexpected hurdle today, as the PSLV-C61 mission carrying the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite was not successful. The anomaly occurred during the critical third stage of the launch vehicle, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan confirmed.
The initial phases of the mission proceeded as expected, with the trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) exhibiting normal performance during its first and second stages. The lift-off from Sriharikota occurred precisely at the scheduled time of 5:59 am IST.
However, during the operation of the third stage, a solid motor system, a significant issue arose. According to Narayanan, a noticeable drop in the chamber pressure of the motor case was observed, ultimately leading to the mission’s inability to achieve its objectives.
“Today we targeted the 101st launch from Sriharikota, the PSLV-C61 EOS-09 mission. The PSLV is a four-stage vehicle and up to the second stage, the performance was normal. The third stage motor started perfectly but during the functioning of the third stage we are seeing an observation and the mission could not be accomplished,” stated Narayanan.
ISRO has initiated a thorough analysis of the launch data to understand the precise nature of the anomaly. “We are studying the entire performance, we shall come back at the earliest,” Narayanan assured.
The EOS-09 satellite was envisioned as a crucial addition to India’s Earth observation capabilities. Similar to the EOS-04 launched in 2022, it was designed to provide consistent remote sensing data for various operational applications and enhance the frequency of Earth observations.
The satellite’s primary payload was a sophisticated Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). This advanced instrument possesses the capability to capture high-resolution images for a wide array of Earth observation purposes, functioning effectively under all weather conditions, both during the day and night.
The all-weather, round-the-clock imaging capabilities of the SAR are vital for numerous applications, including the monitoring of agriculture and forestry, aiding in disaster management efforts, supporting urban planning initiatives, and bolstering national security.
Furthermore, the EOS-09 mission had a strong focus on sustainability. Scientists had incorporated a plan to de-orbit the satellite after its operational lifespan. By lowering it to an orbit that would ensure its decay within a two-year timeframe, the mission aimed to minimize the creation of space debris.
Read More: Electrocution Claims Endangered Golden Langur in Assam Forest