After Back-to-Back Rocket Failures, National Security Advisor Doval Rushes to ISRO

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram on February 3, 2026, following two consecutive failures of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), India’s most trusted rocket. His visit signals the government’s deep concern over the setbacks and the strategic importance of restoring PSLV’s reliability.

Doval’s visit was undertaken on the direct instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and aimed at examining whether the back-to-back mission failures had any national security implications, including the possibility of sabotage.

Why the Visit Matters

• Security Oversight: PSLV is vital for launching defense and surveillance satellites. Doval’s presence indicates national security implications.
• Technical Review: He met with VSSC Director A. Rajarajan and senior scientists to assess the failures and discuss corrective actions.
• Global Reputation: PSLV’s reliability underpins India’s commercial launch contracts and international credibility.

Timeline of PSLV Missions: Successes & Failures

Year	Mission	Outcome	Notes
1993	PSLV-D1	Failure	First developmental flight.
1994	PSLV-D2	Success	First successful PSLV launch.
1997	PSLV-C1	Success	IRS-1D satellite.
2017	PSLV-C37	Success	Record 104 satellites launched.
2020–2022	C48–C52	Success	EOS and INS series.
2025	PSLV-C61	Failure	Third-stage anomaly.
2026	PSLV-C62	Failure	Similar third-stage issue.

Success Rate: Over 55 missions with only 4 failures — a reliability rate of ~93%.

Strategic Implications

• Technical Risk: Repeated third-stage anomalies suggest systemic issues.
• Defense Impact: Delays in satellite deployment could affect surveillance and communications.
• Commercial Fallout: International clients may hesitate until reliability is restored.

NSA Doval’s visit is not just symbolic — it’s a signal that PSLV’s recovery is a matter of national priority.