One Satellite Survives PSLV Rocket Failure, Transmits Data from Space for About 3 Minutes

In a dramatic turn of events following the failure of the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV-C62 mission, a Spanish satellite called KID (Kestrel Initial Demonstrator) emerged as the lone survivor, transmitting crucial data for approximately three minutes before its expected crash-landing. The PSLV-C62 rocket, carrying the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite and 15 other payloads, experienced an anomaly during its third stage, leading to the loss of all other satellites.

The PSLV-C62 lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. However, six minutes after liftoff, a critical malfunction occurred during the third stage, causing the rocket to deviate from its intended flight path. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed the anomaly, stating that there was a disturbance in the vehicle's roll rates near the end of the third stage.

Amidst the setback, Orbital Paradigm, a Spanish startup, reported that its Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) survived the chaotic descent. The company confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that KID separated from the PSLV-C62, activated, and transmitted data for over three minutes. The company is currently reconstructing the trajectory of the satellite.

Orbital Paradigm's CEO, Francesco Cacciatore, shared that they obtained 190 seconds of flight data. The company determined that KID separated from the PSLV approximately 18 minutes after liftoff, likely due to the flight anomaly. The demo craft withstood peak forces around 28 Gs, while its thermal protection system maintained a comfortable payload temperature of approximately 30 degrees Celsius, with external temperature readings on the backside of the craft showing approximately 85 degrees Celsius.

The KID capsule, a 25-kg football-sized prototype designed for re-entry testing towards a splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean, endured peak deceleration forces and thermal stresses. Developed with French partner RIDE, KID validates Orbital Paradigm's reusable re-entry technology, crucial for future satellite servicing and de-orbiting.

Despite the mission failure for ISRO and the loss of the other 15 satellites, the survival and data transmission of the KID satellite provides valuable data for Orbital Paradigm. Orbital Paradigm aims to release a full report soon and is likely to accelerate Kestrel's full-scale development program. While PSLV-C62 will be remembered as a failed mission for ISRO, KID's unexpected success offers a rare bright spot for the future of space-to-Earth return technologies.