Sriharikota, May 18, 2025:
ISRO’s latest Earth observation mission, EOS-09, ran into an unforeseen issue when the satellite was unable to achieve its intended orbit, the space agency announced on Sunday.
Launched aboard the PSLV-C61 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the mission initially progressed smoothly through the early phases of its flight. However, a technical anomaly during the third stage of propulsion disrupted the final trajectory required to place the EOS-09 satellite into its targeted orbit.
In a press briefing following the incident, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan addressed the media, stating, “While the initial flight stages performed as expected, we observed a deviation in the final stage. As a result, the mission objective could not be achieved as planned. A detailed investigation is underway.”
EOS-09 was designed to enhance India’s earth imaging capabilities, supporting applications in agriculture, forestry, urban planning, and disaster monitoring. Its failure marks a rare stumble for ISRO, an agency renowned for its precision in satellite deployments and budget-efficient missions.
Despite the setback, experts have emphasized the importance of transparency and resilience in space exploration. “Failures, though unfortunate, are critical learning opportunities in rocket science,” said Dr. Ritu Awasthi, an aerospace analyst. “ISRO’s commitment to diagnosing and improving from these events ensures long-term success.”
The Indian space agency has assured that a full review will be conducted by a high-level committee to assess the technical fault and recommend necessary modifications for future launches.
In recent years, ISRO has been expanding its scope with new missions including interplanetary exploration, human spaceflight, and commercial satellite services. While the EOS-09 issue represents a temporary pause, the organization’s broader trajectory remains focused on innovation and international collaboration.
