18 In May, India's attempt to launch an EOS radar imaging satellite-09 failed due to an anomaly in the third stage of the PSLV rocket (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). This has become the first failure for this launch vehicle over the past almost eight years.
The launch took place Fr. 0:29 UTC from Satish Dhavan's Space Center. The Mission's beginning was under plan: The first and second degrees worked normally. However, because 366 seconds after the start, during operation of the solid fuel third stage, the speed of the rocket began to decrease and deviated from the calculated trajectory. Launch broadcast, which was led by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), soon stopped showing telemetry data.
What happened?
Head of ISRO V. Narayanan noted, that the third stage of the rocket launched normally, but an anomaly was detected during its operation, as a result of which the mission could not be implemented. He clarified later, that in the third stage the pressure in the combustion chamber dropped, which caused the crash.
This is the first failure of the PSLV since its launch in August 2017 year, when the separation of the main fairing did not occur, as a result, the navigation satellite did not go into orbit. All other rocket failures were related to its early launches in the 1990s.
About the EOS satellite-09
EOS satellite-09 is an analogue of EOS-04, launched in 2022 year, and weighs almost 1700 Kg. A synthetic aperture radar is installed on board (SAR), which allows you to receive high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions and time of day.
Before the launch, ISRO informed, that EOS-09 should provide continuous and reliable remote sensing data for a wide range of operational applications in various sectors. However, satellite, like its predecessor, probably, also performs military functions.
What's next?
The failure of the mission is a blow to the prestige of the PSLV, which for decades was considered the main operational rocket of the Indian space program. However, given the stable launch history (over 60 missions) and increasing competition from new Indian missiles, such as SSLV or GSLV Mk III, ISRO, probably, will promptly investigate and take corrective action.
Source: https://spacenews.com/pslv-launch-of-indian-radar-imaging-satellite-fails/