ISRO’s 2025: Low Launch Count, Two Setbacks and a Pivot to Industry
A sparse launch year signaled a shift toward partnerships plus industry roles, reflecting progress in human‑flight preparation.
Overview
- India logged five orbital launches in 2025, including a terminated PSLV‑C61/EOS‑09 attempt and the NVS‑02 navigation satellite that Parliament later confirmed as non‑operational.
- The joint NASA–ISRO NISAR mission launched on July 25, establishing the year’s flagship Earth‑observation effort with dual‑band radar.
- LVM3 delivered key payloads, placing CMS‑03 on November 2 and lofting the 6,100 kg BlueBird Block‑2 on December 24, the heaviest satellite yet launched from India.
- Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to visit the ISS on Axiom‑4 and returned safely after a roughly two‑week mission.
- Gaganyaan advanced with December drogue‑parachute tests in Chandigarh, the first uncrewed orbital test now targeted for March 2026, and SSLV production and operations transferred to HAL through contract and technology transfer.