Rocket Launch by ISRO Fails After Seven Minutes, Establishment of Investigation Committee to Identify Causes
Capital City of India: ISRO's Earth observation satellite launch ended in failure on Sunday, as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) malfunctioned seven minutes after lift-off. The rocket, renowned for its reliability, experienced an unexpected breakdown during its 18-minute flight.
In an effort to understand the cause of the failure, ISRO has established a National Failure Analysis Committee and is conducting a comprehensive audit of the PSLV. The committee, composed primarily of experts from prominent institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), is expected to submit their findings in mid-June. The panel has already been provided with a substantial amount of data for analysis.
In addition to the National Failure Analysis Committee, ISRO has also assembled several internal review groups to scrutinize every facet of the PSLV. The committee will determine the reasons behind PSLV-C61's failure, with a focus on the third stage rocket motor, which uses a unique solid fuel motor.
Sources within the space agency indicate that no other rocket will be launched until the National Failure Analysis Committee completes its investigation and ISRO rectifies the issue. Analogizing the incident, an expert commented that each rocket is like a child, emphasizing the importance of addressing the problem on a case-by-case basis.
The space agency has already issued a notice for the launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-2 or GSLV F-16, with intentions to fly between June 18 and July 17. The rocket, previously referred to as 'ISRO's naughty boy' but ultimately brought under control, is set to launch the world's most expensive civilian Earth imaging satellite, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite (NISAR). The combined investment for the satellite amounts to $1.5 billion.
Preliminary reports suggest that a malfunction in the third stage rocket motor may have contributed to the PSLV-C61 failure. Specifically, an anomaly was observed in the chamber pressure inside the motor case. Experts are investigating whether a possible rupture in the motor's fibre casing could have caused the failure. As of now, this hypothesis remains the prime suspect.
The PSLV is highly sought-after globally, and India's launch site offers a unique location to maximize its potential.
The failed launch of ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) has prompted a thorough investigation, involving both the National Failure Analysis Committee and multiple internal review groups. These committees are primarily composed of experts from esteemed institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), concentrating on the third stage rocket motor, which uses a unique solid fuel motor and may have experienced a malfunction. Meanwhile, the potential launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-2 (GSLV F-16) remains on hold until the findings from the investigation are revealed, as it is vital to understand the cause of the PSLV-C61 failure in order to ensure the success of future space missions and the safety of costly technology equipment, such as the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite (NISAR).
