Troubling repeat, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• The PSLV-C62 mission failed on January 12 due to an anomaly in its third stage, similar to the PSLV-C61 mission failure in May 2025.
• The live telecast of the PSLV-C62 mission was abruptly stopped when the anomaly became evident.
• The PSLV has been a reliable workhorse for India's space ambitions for decades.
• ISRO is positioning the PSLV as a commercial product through NewSpace India Limited.
• The EOS-N1 satellite, built by the DRDO, was also onboard the failed C62 mission.
• ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan's tenure has seen a shift away from scientific openness.

Detailed Insights:

• The failure of the PSLV-C61 mission was attributed to a loss of chamber pressure in the third stage, but the Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report was not made public.
• The symptom of the C62 failure, a "roll rate disturbance", mirrors the events leading up to the C61 failure, suggesting a recurring issue.
• International insurers are likely to reassess the PSLV's risk profile, potentially leading to increased insurance premiums and reduced affordability.
• The decision to proceed with the C62 mission without releasing the FAC report for the C61 mission raises concerns about ISRO's priorities.
• Releasing the FAC report for the C61 mission is crucial for restoring confidence and rebuilding quality assurance protocols within ISRO.
• ISRO has demonstrated the reliability of its LVM-3 rocket, most recently with the M6 mission in December 2025.

Key Concepts Involved:

• PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle): An expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by ISRO.
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL): The commercial arm of ISRO, responsible for marketing and commercializing space products and technologies.
• Failure Analysis Committee (FAC): A committee formed to investigate the causes of mission failures and recommend corrective actions.