ISRO’s 101st Satellite Mission Ends in Setback as EOS-09 Fails After Launch

PSLV-C61 lifted off successfully, but anomaly in third stage led to mission failure; ISRO promises detailed analysis

Sriharikota | May 18, 2025 India’s 101st satellite mission suffered a significant setback on Sunday after the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09 failed to achieve its intended orbit following launch aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61).

The launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota began as planned, with ISRO confirming that performance was normal through the second stage. However, a critical issue during the third stage disrupted the mission’s success.

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“Today’s PSLV-C61 performance was normal till the 2nd stage. Due to an observation in the 3rd stage, the mission could not be accomplished,” ISRO stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

ISRO Chairman added, “We will come back after detailed analysis.”

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🚀 Mission Details and Objectives

This was the 63rd flight of the PSLV and the 27th with its XL configuration, continuing its legacy as ISRO’s workhorse launcher. The EOS-09, equipped with C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), was intended to operate in a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO), offering all-weather, day-and-night imaging capabilities vital for agriculture, forestry, disaster response, and strategic surveillance.

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A notable element of this mission was its emphasis on sustainable space operations. The satellite carried deorbiting fuel, a step toward responsible space disposal post-mission—aligning with ISRO’s increasing focus on orbital debris mitigation.

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👨‍🔬 Scientific & Strategic Relevance

Scientist W Selvamurthy praised ISRO for the effort, calling EOS-09 part of a broader constellation critical to India’s environmental and security monitoring systems.

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“This satellite would have strengthened applications in agriculture, forestry, and even military surveillance. I congratulate all ISRO teams and partner industries,” he told ANI.

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🧍‍♀️ Public Reaction: Pride Mixed with Disappointment

Many families and children had traveled from across the country to witness the historic launch but were denied access due to heightened security protocols amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.

A child from Ranipet said,

“We came all the way but couldn’t see the launch. Still, I feel proud just being here.”

Another visitor, a student with dreams of heading ISRO, said:

“I came 150 kilometers hoping to see the launch. I’m disappointed today, but I’ll be back next time. I want to become the ISRO Chairman one day.”

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🛰️ Next Steps

ISRO has launched a technical review to assess the third-stage failure and will release findings in due course. The incident, while a blow to the agency’s nearly unblemished PSLV record, is seen as part of the learning process in advanced space missions.

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🏷️ Tags:

ISRO, PSLV-C61, EOS-09, Satellite Launch Failure, Earth Observation Satellite, India Space Mission, Space Sustainability, Sriharikota, ISRO Launch 2025, C-band Radar Satellite, Indian Space Research Organisation