2 Shocking ISRO Mission Failures Trigger National Alarm

2 Shocking ISRO Mission Failures: Raise Serious Red Flags

India Wakes Up to Another ISRO Setback: What’s Going Wrong?

On May 18, 2025, India woke up to troubling news—another important ISRO mission had failed. This wasn’t just a regular rocket launch gone wrong. It marked the second consecutive failure of a mission involving national security assets, both ending mid-air.

The incident has sparked serious concerns across the country. ISRO, India’s highly respected space agency, is known for its remarkable achievements. But two back-to-back failures raise a critical question: Is something going wrong inside India’s space program?

Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and the burning questions now looming over the Indian space program.

PSLV-C61: A Billion-Rupee Blow

In the early hours of May 18, the PSLV-XL rocket—India’s workhorse launcher—lifted off from Sriharikota. Its mission: to deploy EOS-09, a surveillance satellite loaded with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capable of peering through clouds, smoke, and even darkness.

But just six minutes into flight, everything changed.

The rocket’s third stage faltered. It suffered a drop in chamber pressure, deviating from its course. Within seconds, the mission was lost—along with ₹850 crore (₹550 crore for the satellite, ₹300 crore for the rocket).

This wasn’t just a routine failure. It was ISRO’s third PSLV failure ever—yet more worryingly, it came just months after the GSLV NVS-02 mission collapsed in January 2025.

The GSLV NVS-02 Disaster: First Warning Ignored?

Back in January, the ₹300 crore GSLV mission was meant to launch NVS-02, a navigation satellite vital for India’s IRNSS system—our desi GPS. But a pyro valve failed to open, cutting off oxidizer flow despite working fuel pumps.

A power line, likely left unconnected after final testing, may have been the cause.

Despite full redundancy in ISRO’s systems, the failure occurred. No public Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report has emerged even months later.

Coincidence? Experts think not.

There’s too much coincidence in back-to-back failures of missions critical to national security, said a retired ISRO official.

Pattern or Problem? Why These Failures Matter

To understand the gravity of the situation, here’s a quick comparison of the two back-to-back ISRO mission failures—highlighting their strategic importance, technical faults, and financial losses:

And most importantly, both weakened India’s real-time intelligence and geolocation capabilities, making us more vulnerable.

In a world where space dominance equals national strength, this is a red flag India cannot afford to ignore.

PSLV’s History: A Trusted Rocket—Until Now

To be fair, the PSLV rocket has an enviable record:

1. Over 98% success rate
2. Used to launch hundreds of satellites for global clients
3. Famously launched 104 satellites in one mission in 2017

But it’s not without cracks:

1. 2017: IRNSS-1H got trapped inside the heat shield due to a pyro failure.
2. 2010: IRNSS-1A launch delayed due to a faulty actuator.
3. Earlier: ISRO dismantled an assembled PSLV to replace a faulty gas motor.

These recurring issues—especially in critical strategic launches—point to deeper systemic problems.

National Security at Risk: What We’ve Lost

Let’s not sugarcoat it: The failure of EOS-09 and NVS-02 isn’t just about money.

Here’s what’s at stake with the recent ISRO mission failures—two critical satellites lost, both tied to India’s security and autonomy in space:

Without these satellites, India relies more heavily on external data sources—something no strategic power wants.

Internal Flaws or External Interference?

Insiders Raise Red Flags

This is where things get uncomfortable. Some former insiders are beginning to ask hard questions. As concerns mount, several pressing questions are emerging:

ISRO has not confirmed any of these possibilities. But the timing, the patterns, and the lack of transparency around the FAC reports raise eyebrows.

Time for ISRO to Reboot?

India needs space dominance more than ever:

1. For defense.
2. For disaster monitoring.
3. For economic growth and global prestige.

ISRO must now urgently do the following:

1. Publicly release Failure Analysis Reports for NVS-02 and PSLV-C61.
2. Audit its testing, quality, and final integration protocols.
3. Strengthen cybersecurity and anti-tamper systems—both digital and hardware.
4. Improve communication with stakeholders, especially in the defense and strategic domains.

Hope Still Rockets High

Despite these setbacks, India’s space program is far from broken. ISRO has:

1. An ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission on the horizon.
2. Global clients queuing up for low-cost, reliable satellite launches.
3. Brilliant scientists and engineers known for innovation under constraints.

But hope must now meet hard decisions. Strategic missions cannot afford even a 2% failure rate.

PM Modi’s Steadfast Vision Fuels India’s Space Ambitions

Despite back-to-back ISRO setbacks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to building a self-reliant and secure India remains unshaken. Through the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, he has consistently encouraged indigenous innovation and strategic independence. His leadership continues to empower ISRO and the defense sector to rise stronger, turning every failure into a stepping stone toward global excellence. Modi’s vision fuels national pride and drives India’s journey to becoming a space superpower.

Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call from the Stars

In space, every second counts—and every failure echoes back with a cost.

The twin failures of EOS-09 and NVS-02 should not be brushed aside as rare anomalies. They demand a cultural reset inside ISRO, with an ironclad focus on strategic reliability, transparency, and accountability.

India has the talent, the brains, and the experience. Now it needs the urgency.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information, expert opinions, and media reports as of May 2025. TN HEADLINES24 does not claim responsibility for the accuracy of technical data or official statements mentioned. The views expressed in this article are for informational and journalistic purposes only and do not represent the official stance of any organization or government body.