Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], May 21 (ANI): Despite a recent setback with the PSLV-C61/EOS-09 mission, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan reaffirmed the organization’s ambitious plans for 2025 and beyond, including the nation’s first human spaceflight mission under the ‘Gaganyaan’ program scheduled for 2027.
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, V. Narayanan explained that the PSLV-C61 mission encountered a failure during its third stage due to a drop in chamber pressure, which in turn impacted the performance of the fourth stage and ultimately led to the loss of the mission. “A national-level committee has been constituted to investigate the cause,” he said.
Despite the failure, Narayanan emphasized that 2025 remains a landmark year for ISRO. “We have Chandrayaan-4, Chandrayaan-5, and three uncrewed missions planned. India’s space programme is progressing steadily toward securing food, water, and power for the nation, while also preparing for its first human spaceflight,” he stated.
The PSLV-C61 mission, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on May 18, marked ISRO’s 101st launch. The mission began as expected, with the first and second stages functioning normally. However, complications arose in the third stage, which utilizes a solid rocket motor intended to provide high thrust after the rocket exits the dense atmosphere. The chamber pressure anomaly during this phase disrupted the mission’s trajectory and prevented its completion.
Narayanan, who was in Bhubaneswar to visit the Central Toolroom and Training Centre (CTTC), remained optimistic about the organization’s broader mission portfolio. He highlighted the continuity of India’s lunar exploration goals, with Chandrayaan-4 slated for a tentative 2027–2028 launch window. The mission aims to collect lunar samples and return them to Earth, marking another significant milestone in India’s space journey.
The Gaganyaan program, envisioned to carry Indian astronauts into space, continues to be a priority. Preparations are underway with a series of uncrewed test missions scheduled over the next two years to validate systems and safety protocols before the manned mission in 2027.
Despite this rare technical hiccup, ISRO’s leadership reiterated their confidence in India’s robust space research program and its strategic contributions to national security, resource management, and scientific advancement. (ANI)
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