Broken power circuit behind ISRO's failed launch of NVS-02 in Jan 2025, says panel, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• An ISRO committee determined a broken electrical circuit likely caused the NVS-02 navigation satellite launch failure in January 2025.
• The GSLV-F15 successfully placed NVS-02 in an elliptical transfer orbit, but the engine failed to achieve the intended circular orbit.
• The failure was attributed to a signal not reaching the pyro valve of the engine's oxidizer line, preventing ignition.
• Recommendations to improve pyro system redundancy and reliability were implemented for the successful CMS-03 launch in November 2025.
• A separate committee is reviewing anomalies in the PSLV rocket, which experienced two consecutive failed launches.

Detailed Insights:

• The NVS-02 satellite was intended for satellite-based positioning as part of India's navigation system.
• Analysis suggests the broken circuit was due to disengagement of contacts to the connector, disrupting the signal.
• ISRO implemented enhanced redundancy and reliability measures for pyro systems based on the committee's findings.
• The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) failures in May 2025 and January 2026 involved anomalies in the rocket's third stage.
• Despite the PSLV failures, the Union Minister of State for Space stated the causes were unrelated.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Pyro Valve: A valve activated by a small explosive charge (pyrotechnic device) to control fluid flow in critical systems.
• Oxidizer: A chemical substance that enables fuel to burn, essential for rocket engine combustion.
• Elliptical Transfer Orbit: An initial, elongated orbit used to move a satellite from one circular orbit to another.

NVS-02