Rocket Falters, Dream Doesn’t: PSLV-C61’s Hiccup, ISRO’s Spirit Unshaken

Sriharikota: India’s relied on rocket, PSLV, faced a rare setback for the duration of its 101st mission. The PSLV-C61, launched at 9:32 AM IST from Sriharikota, aimed to dwelling the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite tv for computer into orbit. Whereas the first two stages labored completely, the mission faltered when the third stage lost chamber pressure, resulting in mission failure. However as historic past presentations, ISRO’s spirit is stronger than any failed ignition.

Working out PSLV and Its Third Stage

The Polar Satellite Delivery Automotive (PSLV) is India’s space workhorse, with over 60 a success missions. It has four stages, each and every propelling the satellite tv for computer elevated. The third stage (PS3) runs on solid gasoline known as HTPB (Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene).

• HTPB Gasoline: A rubber-take care of substance, it’s full of chemicals that burn to open extremely efficient gases.
• Chamber Stress: The pressure created by burning gasoline within the motor. Esteem steam in a pressure cooker, it should preserve excessive to push the rocket.

In PSLV-C61, this pressure with out discover dropped, and the third stage couldn’t generate the thrust basic to reach orbit.

What May Have Gone Indecent?

ISRO hasn’t revealed the reveal motive yet, but specialists suggest a whole lot of likely causes:

1. Gasoline Defect: If HTPB gasoline had air bubbles or used to be packed unevenly, it wouldn’t burn successfully—take care of a inferior Diwali rocket.
2. Motor Case Leak: A shrimp crack or hole in the rocket’s physique may perchance let gases smash out—take care of a leaking tyre shedding pressure.
3. Thermal Stress: The motor faces crude heat and frigid for the duration of flight. Sudden changes can crack the casing—take care of a hot clay pot cracking when cooled.
4. Nozzle Damage: If the nozzle used to be blocked or deformed, gases couldn’t smash out successfully—take care of a jammed exhaust pipe.
5. Uneven Burning: The solid gasoline should burn evenly. If no longer, pressure drops—take care of a gasoline range with a historical flame.
6. Checking out Miss: Every part is tested, but if a small flaw escaped look, it may perchance maybe maybe fail mid-flight—take care of a bat breaking from a hidden crack.

Why This Issues, However Doesn’t Spoil Us

The third stage is severe. It gives the final push for the satellite tv for computer to reach its orbit. The failure intended EOS-09, intended to abet in agriculture, planning, and security, used to be lost. However setbacks are a part of space exploration. ISRO’s discover narrative of bouncing lend a hand is unmatched.

PSLV’s Legacy of Success

This used to be simplest the third PSLV failure in over three a few years:

• 1993 – PSLV-D1: Stage separation and administration points.
• 2017 – PSLV-C39: Heat protect failed to open.
• 2025 – PSLV-C61: Third stage chamber pressure loss.

In 2021, GSLV-F10 failed too, but that enthusiastic liquid gasoline. PSLV-C61’s field is recurring and may perchance be studied intently.

What’s Subsequent for ISRO?

ISRO is already working to search out the muse trigger. Specialists are:

• Reviewing telemetry data from the rocket’s flight.
• Inspecting the gasoline composition, motor casing, and nozzle beget.
• Rechecking pre-open assessments for lost sight of points.

ISRO’s dart from SLV rockets to Moon and Mars is constructed on resilience. Here's true a hand over, no longer a defeat.

What is HTPB Gasoline?

Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB) is the solid gasoline venerable in PSLV’s third stage. It holds other chemicals together take care of glue and burns step by step, producing 240 kN of thrust. It’s durable, easy to mold, and superb for excessive-speed missions.

Final Realizing

PSLV-C61’s setback reminds us that space is noteworthy, but India is more bright. From every failed open, ISRO has returned stronger. Here's no longer an end—it’s a learning curve. Merely take care of a kite that snaps mid-air, our scientists will tie it lend a hand and compose it hover elevated. India’s space dreams are removed from over.