ISRO's 101st Satellite Mission Takes Flight, Loses EOS-09 Minutes Later

By: Asian News International

Sriharikota – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday attempted its 101st satellite launch, deploying the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09 aboard PSLV-C61, but the mission ended in disappointment as the satellite was lost just minutes after liftoff.

The PSLV-C61 was scheduled to place EOS-09 into a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO). Initial reports confirm that the PSLV’s four-stage vehicle performed nominally until the second stage. However, an anomaly during the third stage led to mission failure.

“We will come back after analysis,” said the ISRO Chief.

A post on ISRO’s official X (formerly Twitter) account stated:

“Today 101st launch was attempted, PSLV-C61 performance was normal till 2nd stage. Due to an observation in 3rd stage, the mission could not be accomplished.”

Mission Profile and Satellite Capabilities

The EOS-09 satellite, designed for Earth observation, was equipped with C-band synthetic aperture radar, capable of capturing high-resolution images under all weather conditions, day or night. This technology supports a wide range of applications, including:

Agriculture and forestry monitoring
Disaster management
Strategic and military surveillance

The satellite was also part of ISRO's push for sustainable space operations, being equipped with deorbiting fuel for safe disposal after mission life.

PSLV-C61: Record and Expectations

This was the 63rd flight of the PSLV rocket and the 27th using the PSLV-XL variant, continuing ISRO’s streak of successful deployments. A statement from ISRO prior to launch highlighted the reliability of the PSLV, which has now completed 100 successful launches before this attempt.

Despite the failure, the mission underscores ISRO's dedication to expanding Earth observation capabilities with advanced satellite constellations.

Scientists React

On the eve of the launch, Dr. W Selvamurthy, a prominent Indian scientist, lauded ISRO’s efforts and underlined the importance of EOS-09 in enhancing national infrastructure:

“EOS-09 is a critical part of a constellation of satellites with applications in agriculture, forestry, disaster management, and strategic domains. It’s essential for monitoring changes on Earth, including sensitive border areas,” he told ANI.

Public Sentiment and Missed Opportunity

The launch attracted attention from families and aspiring scientists, many of whom traveled from distant towns to witness it. Unfortunately, due to heightened security concerns following India-Pakistan tensions, public viewing at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) was restricted.

“We came all the way from Ranipet hoping to see the rocket launch. Though we couldn’t watch it live, I feel proud just being here,” a child visitor shared.

Another student, who expressed disappointment at not seeing the launch, said:

“I came from 150 kilometers away. Though I’m sad I missed it, I’m inspired. My dream is to become ISRO Chairman one day.”

Looking Ahead

Despite this setback, ISRO remains one of the world's most respected space agencies. Analysts and citizens alike expect a thorough analysis and a strong comeback in the next mission.