India’s space program is facing concerns over the recent failures of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), a historically reliable launch vehicle. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre to assess the situation following the consecutive setbacks.
Doval’s visit, made on the Prime Minister’s directive, aimed to investigate any potential national security implications or sabotage in the PSLV failures. During his visit, he engaged with ISRO scientists to gather technical insights on the mission failures, particularly during the critical third stage of flight.
The investigation into the PSLV failures did not reveal any foul play, as reported by Union Minister Jitendra Singh. However, specific technical and procedural deficiencies were identified, leading to recommendations for corrective actions to prevent future setbacks. The government is taking these issues seriously to restore confidence in the PSLV, known as the backbone of India’s space missions.
