Mon Feb 23 14:22:21 UTC 2026: ### ISRO Faces Scrutiny After Consecutive PSLV Failures; Organizational Issues Under Investigation

The Story:

A high-level committee, including former Principal Scientific Advisor K. VijayRaghavan and former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, has been formed to investigate potential “systemic issues” behind the recent failures of ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The immediate trigger was the January 12, 2026 failure of the PSLV-C62 mission, which resulted in the loss of 16 satellites after the third stage of the rocket failed to ignite. This followed a similar incident on May 18, 2025, when the PSLV-C61 also experienced a third-stage failure, destroying the EOS-09 satellite. The committee’s probe will extend beyond technical malfunctions to examine potential organizational problems within ISRO.

The investigation will cover the manufacturing, procurement, and assembly processes of the PSLV components. The committee, comprised of external experts, is expected to submit its findings to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan before April. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, a member of India’s Space Commission, reportedly visited the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in connection with the PSLV-C62 failure. While ISRO has traditionally conducted internal Failure Analysis Committee probes, the findings of the PSLV-C61 mishap were not made public before the PSLV-C62 launch.

Key Points:

  • PSLV-C62 failed on January 12, 2026, due to third-stage ignition failure, resulting in the loss of 16 satellites.
  • PSLV-C61 failed on May 18, 2025, also due to third-stage failure, destroying the EOS-09 satellite.
  • A high-level committee, including external experts, will investigate “systemic issues” and organizational problems behind the failures.
  • The committee will examine manufacturing, procurement, and assembly processes.
  • The Failure Analysis Committee report for the PSLV-C61 failure was not made public prior to the PSLV-C62 launch.
  • ISRO aims for the next launch in June, pending problem rectification. 18 launches are scheduled for this year, including six involving private sector satellites.

Key Takeaways:

  • The consecutive failures of the PSLV, ISRO’s most reliable launch vehicle, represent a significant setback for the Indian space program.
  • The investigation’s focus on “systemic issues” suggests a deeper concern than isolated technical malfunctions, potentially implicating organizational structure or processes.
  • The involvement of external experts and the National Security Advisor underscores the seriousness with which the government is treating these failures.
  • Maintaining the confidence of both domestic private sector partners and international clients is crucial for the continued growth of India’s space industry.
  • Transparency in failure analysis and corrective actions will be vital for restoring public trust and ensuring the reliability of future missions.

    Read More

Related News: