The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has temporarily halted the use of its reliable Polar Satellite launch Vehicle (PSLV) following a recent failure during the PSLV-C61 mission. This incident, which resulted in the loss of an Earth observation satellite, has prompted ISRO to shift its focus to other launch vehicles for upcoming missions.The GSLV-F16 rocket is now set to take center stage for a important launch scheduled between June 18 and July 17, in collaboration with NASA.
In a decisive move, ISRO has issued guidelines to redirect its efforts. The agency is gearing up to launch the world’s most expensive Earth imaging satellite, NISAR, developed in partnership with NASA. This aspiring project, costing around $1.5 billion, will not utilize the PSLV for its launch. The PSLV-C61 mission aimed to deploy the EOS-09 satellite, but the mission ended in failure last Sunday, raising concerns and prompting a thorough investigation into the malfunction. As ISRO navigates this setback, the focus remains on ensuring the success of future missions while maintaining its reputation as a leader in space exploration.
