India’s PSLV-C61 mission, intended to deploy the advanced EOS-09 Earth observation satellite, failed minutes after launch Sunday morning due to a suspected flex nozzle malfunction in its third-stage propulsion system, according to initial analysis.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) launched the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on 18-05-2025 at 5:59 a.m. IST from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre, but the rocket veered off trajectory during the critical third-stage burn.
The 44.5-meter-tall rocket performed nominally through its first two stages, with the solid-fueled PS1 core and PS2 liquid-stage operating as planned. Issues arose 203 seconds into flight during the PS3 solid motor phase, when telemetry indicated a sudden drop in chamber pressure.
