Overview

• The PSLV-C61 mission, intended to deploy the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite, failed due to a sudden drop in chamber pressure during the rocket's third stage.
• EOS-09, equipped with advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), was designed to provide all-weather, day-night imagery for agriculture, disaster management, and national security.
• This failure is only the third in more than three decades for India's highly reliable PSLV rocket, which has launched over 100 missions.
• ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has initiated a detailed investigation into the anomaly and promised to release findings soon.
• Despite the setback, ISRO plans to maintain its upcoming PSLV launch schedule while addressing systemic challenges to ensure mission reliability.