Reference Article: Editorial | The Hindu – Troubling repeat: On ISRO’s failed PSLV-C62 mission
UPSC Relevance:
GS Paper III – Science and Technology (Space technology, indigenous capabilities, strategic infrastructure)
GS Paper II – Governance (Transparency, accountability of public institutions)
The failure of the PSLV-C62 mission on January 12, following a similar third-stage anomaly in PSLV-C61 in May 2025, has raised serious concerns about quality assurance, transparency and institutional priorities within ISRO. The abrupt cutoff in live telecast during the anomaly further fuelled unease.
Nature of the Problem
- PSLV has long been India’s reliable “workhorse” launcher with mature technology
- Two failures linked to the third stage suggest systemic quality or process lapses rather than isolated glitches
- C61 failed due to loss of chamber pressure; C62 showed a roll-rate disturbance with similar precursors
Concerns Over Institutional Response
- Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report for C61 was not made public and was shared only with the PMO
- Despite incomplete public disclosure, ISRO cleared PSLV for subsequent flight with assurances of “structural reinforcements”
- Launching C62 before transparent closure of C61 investigation raises questions about risk management
Commercial and Strategic Implications
- PSLV is being marketed globally through NewSpace India Limited as a commercial launch vehicle
- Repeated failures will raise insurance premiums and hurt PSLV’s competitiveness
- Undermines India’s ambition to be a reliable, net provider in the global space launch market
Leadership and Organisational Culture
- Shift from ISRO’s traditional scientific openness to a more bureaucratic, closed approach
- Possible pressure from strategic payloads, such as EOS-N1 built by DRDO, may have accelerated timelines
- While LVM-3 reliability has improved, PSLV credibility is now under strain
Way Forward
- Immediate public release of the FAC report on PSLV-C61
- Transparent accounting of root causes, recurrence risks and corrective actions
- Strengthening quality assurance protocols and restoring stakeholder confidence
Conclusion
For a publicly funded and commercially ambitious space programme, secrecy in failure analysis is counterproductive. Transparency is essential not only for public trust but also for sustaining India’s credibility in the global space ecosystem.
Sample UPSC Mains Question
“Repeated launch failures demand not only technical fixes but institutional transparency.” Examine this statement in the context of recent PSLV mission failures and their implications for India’s space ambitions.