Context:
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has constituted a high-level committee to investigate repeated failures of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
- The move follows the PSLV-C62 mission failure on January 12, 2026, caused by the third stage failing to ignite.
Key Highlights:
Formation of Investigation Committee
- The probe will be led by K. Vijay Raghavan and former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath.
- The committee will analyze both technical and organizational causes of the failures.
Recent PSLV Failures
- PSLV-C62 (January 2026) failed due to third-stage ignition failure.
- PSLV-C61 (May 2025) also failed, resulting in the loss of the EOS-09 satellite.
Scope of Investigation
- The committee will examine potential systemic issues in manufacturing, procurement, and assembly processes.
- It will also review accountability mechanisms within India’s expanding space ecosystem, including private sector participation.
Security and Strategic Attention
- National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre following the failure.
- The committee’s findings will be submitted to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan before April.
Transparency Concerns
- Unlike previous cases, reports of earlier failures have not been publicly released, raising concerns about transparency.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
- Medium-lift expendable launch vehicle developed by ISRO.
- Known as “ISRO’s workhorse” for launching Earth observation satellites.
- Major ISRO Launch Vehicles
- PSLV – Polar satellite launches and interplanetary missions.
- GSLV – Geosynchronous satellite launches.
- LVM3 (Gaganyaan launch vehicle) – Heavy-lift missions.
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
- Located in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Responsible for design and development of launch vehicles.
- Failure Analysis Committee
- ISRO’s mechanism to investigate launch failures and recommend corrective actions.
- Space Commission
- Apex body responsible for formulating India’s space policies and overseeing implementation.
Relevant Mains Points:
Importance of Reliable Launch Systems
- PSLV has historically achieved high reliability and international credibility.
- Repeated failures could affect India’s commercial launch market and space diplomacy.
Expanding Space Ecosystem
- India’s space sector now includes private companies, startups, and international collaborations.
- Ensuring quality control and accountability across the ecosystem is critical.
Strategic Implications
- Space capabilities are crucial for communication, navigation, disaster management, and national security.
- Launch failures can disrupt satellite-based services and strategic missions.
Way Forward
- Strengthen quality assurance and supply chain oversight in launch vehicle manufacturing.
- Enhance transparency and public reporting of investigation outcomes.
- Invest in advanced testing and redundancy mechanisms.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology: India’s space programme and launch vehicle technology.
- GS Paper 2 – Governance: Institutional accountability and strategic technology management.