Analysis of ISRO’s PSLV-C62 Mission Failure and the Role of Failure Analysis Committees
The PSLV-C62 mission, launched on January 12 from Sriharikota, failed to deploy its primary payload, the EOS-N1 surveillance satellite, into the designated orbit. The rocket encountered an anomaly during the third stage (PS3), characterized by a 'roll rate disturbance' and a drop in chamber pressure. ISRO has constituted a Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) to investigate the mishap, with a report expected by mid-2025. This failure is notable as it is the first time the PSLV failed while carrying customer satellites from Indian and foreign entities. The incident raises questions about transparency, as recent FAC reports have not been made public.
Key Points
- The PSLV-C62 mission failed during the third stage (PS3) due to technical anomalies in the rocket's flight path.
- The primary payload was EOS-N1, a surveillance satellite for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- A Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) is a non-standing body of experts tasked with reconstructing the failure using telemetry data.
- The mission included co-passengers from Thailand, the U.K., Nepal, France, Spain, and Brazil, facilitated by NewSpace India Ltd.
Exam Facts
- Launch Date: January 12.
- Primary Payload: EOS-N1 (DRDO surveillance satellite).
- Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C62.
- Committee: Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) chaired by Dr. Narayanan.
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