ISRO's PSLV-C61 EOS-09 Mission Faces Unexpected Anomaly

Today, **May 18th, 2025**, the Indian Space Research Organisation (**ISRO**) launched its **PSLV-C61** mission carrying the **EOS-09 Earth observation satellite** from the **Satish Dhawan Space Centre** in **Sriharikota**. ## Mission Overview This mission was highly anticipated, with the **EOS-09** satellite poised to join its predecessor, **EOS-04**, in providing crucial **C-band microwave data** for enhanced earth observation. - **Satellite Weight:** Approximately **1700 kilograms** - **Mission Life:** Planned for **five years** - **Orbit:** Sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of **597 kilometers** - **Mission Goals:** - Agriculture - Disaster management - Environmental monitoring ## Launch Details The powerful **PSLV-C61**, a **four-stage launch vehicle**, lifted off as scheduled. Initial stages of the launch appeared to proceed normally, with the rocket steadily ascending toward its intended orbit. ## Anomaly Report However, in a statement released shortly after the launch, **ISRO** reported a **technical anomaly in the third stage** of the launch sequence. As a result: - The mission **could not be accomplished** - The **EOS-09 satellite did not reach its intended orbit** ## Satellite Significance The **EOS-09** satellite was designed to: - Play a **vital role in India's earth observation infrastructure** - Provide **continuous and all-weather data** - Support **responsible space operations**, including: - **Deorbiting** at end-of-life - **Minimizing space debris** by maneuvering PSLV's final stage ## ISRO's Response ISRO has assured the public that: > They are currently analyzing the data to understand the exact nature of the anomaly in the third stage. Further updates and findings will be shared through their official social media channels.