In space missions, cost, reliability, and time often pull in different directions, making balance difficult.
ISRO’s PSLV-C61 mission recently failed to place the EOS-09 satellite into orbit due to a glitch in the third stage after liftoff.
EOS-09 was important for all-weather earth observation, useful for both civilian (e.g., land use, hydrology) and defence purposes, especially during tensions with Pakistan.
The failure highlights that even trusted rockets like the PSLV are not foolproof.
India is beginning its Space-Based Surveillance-3 programme, planning to launch 52 satellites, with 31 to be built by private companies under ISRO’s guidance.
A recent military operation (Operation Sindoor) exposed a gap in India’s space surveillance, forcing reliance on foreign commercial data.
Minor technical errors can cause mission failures, showing that higher reliability often requires greater investment.
Time is a major pressure point, as urgent civilian and military needs do not allow delays.
ISRO is stretched thin due to multiple responsibilities—satellite launches, R&D, human spaceflight, data processing—and needs more resources to meet growing demands.
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