Latest news with #PSLV-C61
India Today
5 days ago
- Science
- India Today
Isro ground PSLV fleet after launch disaster, continues to prep for Nisar launch
Days after the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle failed moments after launch, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has temporarily grounded its trusted PSLV development comes following the failure of the PSLV-C61 mission on May 18, which was carrying the advanced EOS-09 earth observation decision comes as a high-level committee investigates the anomaly that led to the rocket's third-stage malfunction, resulting in the loss of the satellite and rocket over the Indian The PSLV, renowned for its 94% success rate with only four failures in 64 missions, encountered a rare setback when the third stage of PSLV-C61 suffered a sudden drop in chamber pressure, causing a loss of the first two stages performing reliably, the third stage's solid-fuel motor did not generate sufficient thrust, and the mission was aborted less than seven minutes after suspect a rupture in the fibre casing of the third-stage motor as a possible cause, with hot gases from the burning fuel potentially entering sensitive EOS-09 satellite, equipped with a sophisticated Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capable of all-weather, day-and-night imaging, was intended to support environmental monitoring, disaster response, and national security loss is a significant operational setback for Isro, but officials remain confident in a swift the PSLV grounding, Isro's other launch vehicles remain for the high-profile Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) mission, scheduled for launch in June 2025 aboard a GSLV rocket, are proceeding as Nisar mission, a $1.5 billion collaboration with Nasa, will deploy one of the world's most advanced radar imaging satellites to monitor Earth's changing systems and natural and external expert committees are now scrutinising telemetry and system diagnostics from the failed PSLV mission, with a detailed report expected by officials stress that the temporary grounding of PSLV is a standard safety measure and will not impact the schedule of other critical missions, including Nisar and the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight Isro investigates the rare PSLV failure, its focus remains on ensuring flawless operations for future launches, particularly with ambitious crewed and international missions on the Watch
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Crewed missions ahead, Isro needs zero-flaw operations
The May 18 failure of India's workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket to deliver sophisticated earth observation satellite EOS-09 to its intended orbit in space is a hard knock for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The four-stage PSLV-C61 launcher lifted off with the EOS-09 satellite sharp at 5.59 am from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The first two stages performed reliably, but the problem began after the third stage fired. The PSLV-C61 lost thrust, and the remaining third and the fourth stage (latter nestling EOS-09) crashed into the sea. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan suspects it happened due to a fall in pressure in the PSLV-C61's third-stage motor chamber carrying Hydroxyl-terminated Polybutadiene as the solid propellant. Rocket propulsion experts understand that pressure in a rocket motor's combustion chamber can fall due to changes in the burning rate and surface area of the propellant or from issues within the nozzle, whether erosion or burning surface area. This caused a loss of thrust, preventing the PSLV-C61 from reaching the intended altitude of 534 km to release EOS-09 in its orbit and crashing about five minutes after launch.
NDTV
24-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
ISRO Rocket Fails 7 Minutes Into Flight, National Panel Set Up To Find Out Why
New Delhi: ISRO could not accomplish the launch of a key Earth observation satellite on Sunday after the rocket carrying it, the workhorse PSLV-C61, failed mid-air, less than seven minutes after it took off. Determined to find the root cause of the failure, the space agency has set up a National Failure Analysis Committee and a complete audit of the rocket is underway, with all systems being reviewed thoroughly. The committee, more than half of whose members are from premier institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), is expected to submit its report around the middle of next month. A set of voluminous data has already been shared with the panel. ISRO has also set up several internal committees to scrutinise every aspect of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which is a highly dependable rocket, with a reliability of over 94% and just four failures in 63 launches - an enviable track record. Sources in the space agency said only the PSLV, and no other rocket, has been put on hold since its third stage uses a solid fuel motor, which is unique to it. The final call, they indicated, will be taken on future launches only after the National Failure Analysis Committee submits its report and ISRO fixes the problem. Giving an analogy, an expert said each rocket is like a child. "If one child falls down, can you ask the entire village to stop walking?" he quipped. A notice to airmen (or NOTAM), has, meanwhile, already been issued for the launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-2 or GSLV F-16 to fly between June 18 and July 17. The rocket, initially dubbed 'ISRO's naughty boy' and eventually tamed, is all set to fly the world's most expensive civilian Earth imaging satellite, named the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite or NISAR. It has been built by India and the US at a cost of $1.5 billion. Third-Stage Issue NDTV had earlier reported that a 'misbehaviour' of the third stage rocket motor may have contributed to the failure of the PSLV-C61, which was launching the EOS-9 surveillance satellite. The PSLV-C61 was travelling at 20,160 km per hour - about 28 times the speed of an airplane - when, some 888 km downrange from Sriharikota over the Indian Ocean, it tumbled down 6.26 minutes into its nearly 18-minute flight. Experts say the third stage did not explode, as speculated. In fact, as the rocket coasted along while losing altitude and thrust, even the fourth stage was probably ignited. It is still being analysed why the rocket motor "misbehaved" 100 seconds after it ignited the third stage. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said there was a "fall in the chamber pressure of the motor case". Dr G Madhavan Nair, former Chairman of ISRO, a rocket specialist who played a key role as project director in mastering the PSLV rocket, estimates that a "possible rupture in the fibre casing of the nearly 8-tonne rocket motor could have been the cause of the failure". This remains the main suspect, but all angles are being investigated. The PSLV is a much-sought-after vehicle globally and India's launch site offers a unique location to maximally use its potential.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Bharatiya Antariksh Station to weigh 50 tonnes, confirms Isro chief
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is preparing to launch its own space station into orbit, marking a historic leap in India's space ambitions, Isro Chairman V Narayanan announced on upcoming space station, expected to weigh over 50 tonnes, will further cement India's position among the world's leading spacefaring on the sidelines of a programme at Ram Mohan Mission, Narayanan highlighted the crucial role of India's 57 operational satellites, which provide vital services ranging from weather forecasting to tele-education in remote He also emphasised the Department of Space's ongoing collaboration with various agencies to ensure the safety and security of India's vast borders, including its 11,500 km coastline and northern frontiers. India is readying for Gaganyaan Mission. (Photo: Isro) Addressing concerns over the recent PSLV-C61/EOS-09 mission setback, Narayanan described it as an exception in Isro's otherwise stellar record. He assured that the failure would not derail future projects, including the highly anticipated Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. 'Gaganyaan's first mission will be an uncrewed test flight, expected to launch in the coming days, followed by two crewed missions in the near future,' he is also advancing its lunar exploration programme, with Chandrayaan-4 set to return lunar samples within the next two-and-a-half years. Meanwhile, Chandrayaan-5, a collaborative mission with Japan, will feature a 6,400 kg lander carrying a 350 kg rover, designed for a 100-day mission on the Moon. For comparison, the successful Chandrayaan-3 lander weighed 1,600 kg and carried a 25 kg rover."Right now, we (Isro) are also working on Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5. Chandrayaan-5, in collaboration with Japan. It will have a life span of 100 days," he these bold initiatives, Isro continues to inspire the nation and expand India's footprint in space Watch
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Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
Gearing up for space station, Gaganyaan, lunar missions: Isro chairman
ISRO is gearing up to launch its own space station into orbit, marking a bold leap in India's space ambitions, chairman V Narayanan said on Thursday. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief also said the Department of Space, of which he is the Secretary, is working alongside various organisations to ensure the safety and security of the country's citizens. "Take our country, for example we have 11,500 km of coastline, and then there's the northern border. We have a vast border to monitor, and the government is working diligently to ensure our safety. There are responsible individuals and systems in place," he told reporters on the sidelines of a programme of Rammohan Mission here. Narayanan said, "Currently, we have 57 satellites in orbit, serving the public by providing real-time updates and data on a wide range of issues, from weather forecasts to tele-education in the most remote areas." About the space station, he said it will weigh over 50 tonnes. On the recent failure of the PSLV-C61/EOS-09 mission, Narayanan described the setback an exception in ISRO's track record. He asserted that the setback cannot in any way derail ISRO's future programmes like Gaganyaan - which will be an important milestone for India's space exploration. "Right now, we (ISRO) are also working on Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5. Chandrayaan-5, in collaboration with Japan, will have a 6,400 kg lander carrying a 350-kg rover. It will have a life span of 100 days," he said. The Chandrayaan-3 lander weighed 1,600 kg having a 25-kg rover. Chandrayaan-4, to bring back sample from the lunar surface, will be launched in the next two-and-a-half years. "Over the past several decades, India has moved on and is now placed among the top nations in space research and exploration," he added. The eminent space scientist further said that ISRO is preparing for the country's first human spaceflight, called 'Gaganyaan'. Narayanan said Gaganyaan's first mission will be an uncrewed test flight, which is expected to be launched in the coming days. This will be followed by two missions with crew which are expected to be launched by ISRO in the near future, he added. Earlier in the day, the ISRO chief addressed students of Ram Mohan Mission and Ram Mohan Mission High School on the 253rd birth anniversary of social reformer Rammohan Roy. He paid glowing tributes to Roy and other social reformers who championed the causes of emancipation and women's uplift. Narayanan also highlighted the contributions of women space scientists in India's space programmes.
