EOS-09 Launch Fails: Know Why ISRO's Satellite Mission Turned Out To Be Unsuccessful Minutes After Takeoff

Mumbai: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a setback on Sunday when its EOS-09 satellite mission failed during launch. The mission, which was ISRO’s 101st attempt, involved launching the advanced Earth observation satellite aboard the PSLV-C61 vehicle.

Why Did The Mission Fail?

The mission failed due to a technical anomaly in the third stage of the launch vehicle. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan confirmed the issue while addressing scientists after the launch. “During the functioning of the third stage, we are seeing an observation and the mission could not be accomplished. After analysis, we shall come back,” he stated. The PSLV-C61 had performed normally through the first and second stages, but the third-stage malfunction prevented the satellite from reaching its intended orbit.

ISRO acknowledged the failure in a post on X, explaining that although the early stages of the launch were successful, an observation in the third stage led to the mission’s premature end. A detailed investigation is now underway to identify the cause of the failure and determine the way forward.

The satellite was designed to be placed into a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) and was expected to enhance India’s remote sensing capabilities. EOS-09 featured C-band synthetic aperture radar technology, allowing it to capture high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface regardless of weather or lighting conditions. The mission also included a post-deployment plan to reduce the altitude of the fourth stage using Orbit Change Thrusters (OCT), followed by passivation to minimise space debris, reflecting ISRO’s commitment to sustainable space operations.

Despite the outcome, the EOS-09 mission highlighted ISRO’s continued push for technological advancement in Earth observation and space sustainability. The satellite was expected to support a wide range of applications, including disaster management, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and strategic surveillance. The setback serves as a reminder of the complexities of space missions, but ISRO is known for learning from failures and bouncing back stronger. With analysis underway, the organisation is expected to regroup and return with renewed efforts in its future satellite missions.