Latest news with #PSLV-C60
Express Tribune
18-05-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
India's satellite launch fails after technical fault in PSLV rocket
The launch of the PSLV-C60 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. PHOTO: AFP Listen to article India's attempt to place a surveillance satellite into orbit failed on Sunday after its launch vehicle encountered a technical issue, the country's space agency has confirmed. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the PSLV-C61 rocket, carrying the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite, experienced a drop in chamber pressure during its third stage, preventing the mission from achieving its objective. "During the third stage, there was a fall in the chamber pressure of the motor case, and the mission could not be accomplished," ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said. 'We are studying the entire performance and will share findings soon.' The satellite was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, early on Sunday. The failure marks a rare setback for ISRO, which is globally recognised for its cost-effective and increasingly ambitious space programme. This is only the third failure involving India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) since its debut in 1993, underscoring the vehicle's otherwise reliable record. A Failure Analysis Committee is expected to investigate the malfunction, local media reported. Despite this setback, India has made major strides in space exploration. In 2014, ISRO became the first Asian agency to place a spacecraft in orbit around Mars. Last year, it became the fourth nation to land a spacecraft on the Moon, joining the ranks of Russia, the US and China. ISRO has launched satellites for several countries and continues to play an increasingly prominent role in the global space sector.
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First Post
18-05-2025
- Science
- First Post
EOS-09 mission fails: Isro to set up team of experts to probe anomaly
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will set up a high-level Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) to investigate what went wrong during the EOS-09 satellite mission. The panel will include experts from Isro and academic institutions. read more ISRO's PSLV-C60 carrying SpaDeX and its payloads, lifts off from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Image Courtesy: @isro/X The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will form a high-level Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) to investigate the anomaly that led to the failure of the EOS-09 satellite mission. The committee will include experts from Isro and academia. According to Isro chief V Narayanan, the mission failed due to technical issues during the third stage of the launch. The FAC will closely examine flight data and all related activities – from launch preparations and countdown to the final stage – where the mission encountered the issue. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Typically, a former Isro chairman or a senior retired scientist heads such a committee. The FAC will identify the root cause of the failure and recommend corrective steps for future missions. 'During the functioning of the third stage, we observed an anomaly, and the mission could not be accomplished. After analysis, we shall come back,' the Isro chairman said. The PSLV-C61 flight sequence starts with the ignition of the PS1 and PSOM boosters on the ground. This is followed by the separation of different parts of the rocket, and ends with the satellite being released into space. Isro chief V Narayanan said the issue was detected in the third stage of the launch, which uses a solid rocket motor to deliver a powerful thrust after the rocket exits the atmosphere. This stage produces a maximum thrust of 240 kilonewtons. This was Isro's 101st mission and was meant to place the EOS-09 satellite into a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO). The plan included using Orbit Change Thrusters (OCT) to lower the altitude of the PS4 stage before passivation, a process that helps prevent space debris and promotes safe space practices.
India.com
24-04-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Fortifying India's Borders: ISRO's Satellite Solution After Pahalgam
पहलगाम में 26 सैलानियों की निर्मम हत्या The recent announcement by ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, who also serves as the Secretary of the Department of Space, about India's plan to launch 100–150 satellites over the next three years has sparked hope for a more secure nation. Speaking in the wake of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, Narayanan underscored the inadequacy of India's current fleet of 55 satellites to monitor its vast borders and 7,500-kilometre coastline. His vision, bolstered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's space sector reforms, hinges on leveraging private sector participation to bolster India's surveillance capabilities. But can this ambitious satellite expansion truly prevent atrocities like the Pahalgam attack? The answer lies in the transformative potential of space technology and the challenges that lie ahead. The Pahalgam attack exposed the vulnerabilities in India's border security apparatus. Terrorist infiltrations across rugged terrains and porous borders remain a persistent threat, often exploiting gaps in real-time intelligence. Narayanan's proposed satellite surge aims to address this by creating a robust network of eyes in the sky. Satellites equipped with high-resolution cameras, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and infrared sensors can provide continuous monitoring of border regions, even in adverse weather or at night. For instance, SAR-enabled satellites, like those planned by private startups such as PierSight, can penetrate cloud cover and detect movements across vast areas. Such technology could have potentially identified suspicious activity near Pahalgam, enabling preemptive action by security forces. With 100–150 additional satellites, India could achieve near-constant surveillance, drastically reducing blind spots along the Line of Control (LoC) and coastal areas. Moreover, the involvement of private players, facilitated by Modi's reforms, is a game-changer. Companies like Ananth Technologies, which contributed to the PSLV-C60 mission, demonstrate the private sector's growing prowess in satellite manufacturing. By handholding these firms, ISRO can accelerate production and deployment, ensuring cost-effective and scalable solutions. This public-private synergy could lead to the development of small, agile satellites—similar to those used in the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX)—capable of rapid repositioning to track dynamic threats. In the context of Pahalgam, a constellation of such satellites could have relayed real-time data to ground stations, enabling swift coordination between the Army, paramilitary forces, and local police to thwart the attack. However, the road to preventing tragedies through satellite surveillance is not without hurdles. The sheer volume of data generated by 150 additional satellites demands advanced artificial intelligence (AI) for processing and analysis. Without robust AI systems, critical intelligence could be buried under a deluge of imagery. Narayanan's mention of the AI-powered O-ARM system at Kauvery Hospital hints at the growing role of AI in precision tasks, and ISRO must similarly invest in AI-driven analytics to filter actionable insights from satellite feeds. Additionally, the integration of satellite data with on-ground intelligence networks remains a challenge. The Pahalgam attack underscores the need for seamless coordination between space-based surveillance and field operations, which requires significant upgrades to India's command-and-control infrastructure. Narayanan's vision also extends beyond security, with plans for a climate change satellite for G20 nations. This dual focus—security and global cooperation—reflects India's aspiration to be a space superpower. Yet, the immediate priority must be operationalising the satellite network to prevent incidents like Pahalgam. By combining cutting-edge technology, private sector innovation, and AI-driven intelligence, India can transform its borders into impregnable fortresses. The SpaDeX mission's success, placing India among an elite group of nations capable of satellite docking, proves ISRO's technical mettle. Now, it must translate this expertise into a security paradigm that ensures no family in Kashmir—or anywhere else—endures the pain of another Pahalgam. The skies are watching; it's time for India to act. ( The author Girish Linganna of this article is an award-winning Science Writer and a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him, at: girishlinganna@ )
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India to add 100-150 satellites to enhance safety, security in 3 yrs: ISRO Chief
Chennai: India would add another 100-150 satellites to cover the entire country over the next three years as part of enhancing border security and coastal surveillance, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said here on Wednesday. Currently, India operates about 55 satellites and for a country which has a vast border and 7,500 km of shoreline, it is not sufficient, he said. Narayanan, also the Secretary, Department of Space, said it was for these reasons Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced reforms in the Space Sector which allows participation of private players in building rockets and satellites. "We need a lot of satellites to protect our borders. We have 55 satellites working and it is not sufficient to monitor the border and coastal areas. For that we need more satellites. Through Space Sector reforms we can bring in private players to build satellites and we can handhold them. In three years, we will be adding another 100-150 satellites. With all those satellites we can monitor the country completely." he said at an event here. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sidi Bouzid: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo He was responding to a query on what are the steps that can be taken by ISRO in the wake of the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people lost their lives. Narayanan was here at the launch of the "AI powered Robotic Compatible O-ARM with Stealth Navigation System" introduced by city-based health care provider Kauvery Hospital. Live Events Detailing some of the projects undertaken by the space agency, he said ISRO successfully performed the second docking of satellites as part of its SpaDeX missions on Monday. India was one of the four nations to achieve it, he said. The others are the US, Russia and China. ISRO had launched the PSLV-C60/Space Docking Experiment mission on December 30, 2024. Thereafter, the satellites were successfully docked for the first time on January 16 and successfully undocked on March 13, he said. A second docking was done last week. Further, Narayanan said, scientists were engaged in developing a satellite to study about climate change that would primarily serve the G20 countries. "About 50 per cent of the payload would be built by India and the remaining would be contributed from the G20 Nations." he said without elaborating. Kauvery Hospital Co-founder Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, on introducing the AI powered robotic compatible technology treatment for advanced brain and spine surgeries, said, it was a cost-effective treatment. With the help of AI, details of patients can be stored and surgeries can be performed 'effectively.'
Hans India
22-04-2025
- Science
- Hans India
SpaDEX mission successfully achieves 2nd docking of satellites
New Delhi: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said that the ISRO's SpaDEX mission has successfully achieved second docking of satellites. In a post on X social media platform, the minister said he is 'glad to inform that the second docking of satellites has been accomplished successfully'. 'As informed earlier, the PSLV-C60 / SPADEX mission was successfully launched on 30 December 2024. Thereafter the satellites were successfully docked for the first time on 16 January 2025 at 06:20 AM and successfully undocked on 13 March 2025 at 09:20 AM,' he mentioned. The minister further said that further experiments are planned in the next two weeks. In January, with the successful docking of the satellites of the SpaDEX mission, India became the fourth nation to ace the space docking technology. ISRO informed the merging of two small spacecraft -- SDX01, the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target -- weighing about 220 kg each. The satellites were part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission, which lifted off aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket, from Sriharikota on December 30. India is now the fourth country, after the US, Russia, and China, to master the docking technology. The docking technology was indigenously developed and has been named the 'Bharatiya Docking System'. It includes a docking mechanism, a suite of four rendezvous and docking sensors, power transfer technology, indigenous novel autonomous rendezvous and docking strategy, and an inter-satellite communication link (ISL) for autonomous communication between spacecraft, incorporated with inbuilt intelligence to know the states of the other spacecraft, among others. ISRO believes the SpaDeX mission will help establish India's capability in orbital docking -- a key technology for future human spaceflight and satellite servicing missions. In addition to joining the elite club of spacefaring nations, docking technology is also key for India's impending space missions including the Moon mission, setting up the Indian space station, and lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4 without the support of GNSS from Earth.
