Committee to probe repeated failures of PSLV, says ISRO, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• A committee led by K. Vijay Raghavan and S. Somanath will investigate the repeated failures of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• The committee will probe potential organizational issues contributing to the PSLV failures, in addition to technical aspects.
• The investigation was initiated after the PSLV-C62 mission failed on January 12, 2026, due to the third stage failing to ignite.
• A similar failure occurred on May 18, 2025, with the PSLV-C61, resulting in the loss of the EOS-09 satellite.
• The committee's findings are expected to be submitted to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan before April.
• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in connection with the PSLV-C62 failure.

Detailed Insights:

• The committee aims to identify systemic issues in the PSLV's manufacturing, procurement, and assembly processes.
• The probe will assess the accountability processes within India's space ecosystem, which now includes private companies.
• ISRO's traditional approach involves a Failure Analysis Committee to investigate rocket failures and publicize findings.
• The reports for PSLV-C61 and PSLV-C62 have not been made public, unlike previous instances.
• The Failure Analysis Committee report on the May 18, 2025 mishap was submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office before the PSLV-C62 launch.
• The committee will reconstruct the events leading to the failures and recommend corrective actions.
• A technical committee within ISRO will release a report on the PSLV-C62 incident this week.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV): An expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by ISRO.
• Failure Analysis Committee: A body of experts within ISRO that investigates major incidents and recommends corrective actions.
• Space Commission: The apex body responsible for formulating policies and overseeing the implementation of space programs in India.