Indian rocket fails to launch navigation satellite

Indian space programme as it suffered a serious setback after its workhorse rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) failed to deliver India’s eighth navigation satellite in its intended orbit.

The 1,425 kg Indian Regional Navigation Satellite-1H (IRNSS-1H), which was launched at 7 p.m. on board the PSLV, was declared unsuccessful after its heat shield failed to separate.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar said: “The mission was unsuccessful.”

“The rocket heat shield didn’t separate. The satellite is inside the heat shield,” he added.

Speaking to the media, Kiran Kumar said the rocket engines performed well but only the heat shield did not get separated.

“The satellite was seen rotating inside the heat shield enclosure,” he said.