ISRO forms probe panel after PSLV-C61 glitch leaves EOS-09 off-target

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has formed a committee to investigate the incident in which a PSLV rocket failed to place the Earth observation satellite, EOS-09, into its intended orbit. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said that the committee held several rounds of discussions yesterday to identify the cause. 

ISRO failed to place its Earth observation satellite in orbit after the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) rocket developed a fault minutes after launch from Sriharikota yesterday. Dr Narayanan said the rocket



is a four-stage vehicle. The first two stages were completed successfully. However, an anomaly was observed in the third stage, and the mission could not be accomplished, he said.

After a 22-hour countdown, the rocket lifted off as planned at 5.59 am yesterday, and all systems were functioning normally until a point. Responding to a query, Dr Narayanan said, ISRO will proceed with its upcoming launches. He said the space agency has planned one mission every month this year.