Setback for ISRO: PSLV mission fails again, deviates from path, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission failed on January 12, 2026, as it didn't reach the intended orbit.
• The mission carried the EOS-N1 satellite and 15 other payloads, including seven from Brazil and Nepal.
• This marks the second consecutive failure for the PSLV rocket, a primary launch vehicle for ISRO.
• A previous failure occurred in May of last year, attributed to a drop in the combustion chamber pressure.

Detailed Insights:

• The PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is a four-stage rocket, with each stage having its own engine and fuel.
• The first stage involves lift-off, requiring a heavy engine and substantial fuel to overcome gravity and atmospheric drag.
• The second stage uses the indigenously developed Vikas engine with liquid fuel, reaching approximately 220-250 km from Earth.
• The third stage is crucial for rapid acceleration, requiring velocities between 26,000 to 28,000 km per hour to maintain orbit.
• The fourth stage precisely places the satellite into its intended orbit, typically between 250-2,000 km from Earth.
• Failure in the third stage can occur if the rocket doesn't attain the required velocity, leading to it being pulled back to Earth.
• A drop in combustion chamber pressure during the third stage, potentially due to leaks or manufacturing defects, can cause mission failure.
• Back-to-back failures raise concerns about the reliability of the PSLV, a significant revenue earner for ISRO through commercial launches.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Combustion Chamber: A chamber in the rocket engine where fuel and oxidizer mix and burn to produce high-pressure gas.
• Thrust: The force that propels a rocket or spacecraft, generated by the expulsion of exhaust gases.
• Sub-orbital Trajectory: A path in which an object does not have enough velocity to stay in orbit and eventually falls back to Earth.
• Liquid Propulsion: A rocket propulsion system that uses liquid propellants for combustion and thrust generation.