PSLV-C62 Mission Faces Setback as 16 Satellites Are Lost in Space
PSLV-C62 Mission Anomaly: ISRO’s 16-Satellite Launch Faces Major Setback
ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission carrying EOS-N1 and 16 satellites suffered a third-stage anomaly after launch from Sriharikota, raising concerns over India’s space ambitions.
PSLV-C62 Launch: What Happened?
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C62, the 64th mission of ISRO’s trusted rocket series, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 10:18 am on January 12, 2026. The mission was meant to place EOS-N1 and 15 additional satellites into orbit.
However, shortly after launch, ISRO confirmed that an anomaly occurred during the third stage (PS3) of the rocket, resulting in a deviation from its intended flight path.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan said telemetry data is being analysed and that the agency would release further details, stopping short of declaring the mission either a success or failure.
Third-Stage Failure After a Normal Start
According to ISRO, the first and second stages of PSLV-C62 performed nominally. The issue appeared during the third stage, which plays a crucial role in injecting satellites into their final orbit.
Any malfunction at this stage is considered critical and usually leads to near-total mission failure. The rocket could not continue along its expected trajectory, which means the satellites were not deployed into their intended orbits.
ISRO officially stated:
“The PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly during end of the PS3 stage. A detailed analysis has been initiated.”
A Comeback Mission After 2025 Failure
PSLV-C62 was not just another routine launch. It was intended to be a comeback flight for PSLV after its previous mission in 2025 also failed, again due to a third-stage issue.
After the 2025 failure, ISRO had formed a failure analysis committee, but its findings were never made public. Despite this, PSLV-C62 was chosen as ISRO’s first mission of 2026.
Two consecutive failures in the same rocket stage now raise serious questions about the reliability of PSLV’s PS3 engine system.
What Was Onboard PSLV-C62?
The rocket was carrying 16 satellites, including:
- EOS-N1 – an advanced Earth observation satellite
- Anvesha – a surveillance satellite developed by DRDO
- Commercial satellites from Brazil, Nepal, and the UK
- Seven satellites from Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space
EOS-N1 and Anvesha were designed to provide high-resolution imaging and strategic surveillance capabilities, making them critical for national security and disaster monitoring.
Impact on ISRO, Startups, and India’s Space Economy
If PSLV-C62 is officially declared a failure, it would become the fifth failure in 64 PSLV launches. While this still gives PSLV a strong overall reliability record, back-to-back failures can damage confidence in India’s launch services.
The impact is not limited to ISRO alone:
- Foreign satellite customers could reconsider using Indian rockets
- Indian space startups like Dhruva Space may face heavy financial losses
- India’s commercial launch ambitions could slow down
India is preparing to launch its first industry-built PSLV through a consortium involving HAL and Larsen & Toubro, making PSLV reliability more important than ever.
What Happens Next?
ISRO has not yet officially declared the mission a failure, but Dr. Narayanan confirmed that the rocket could not proceed on its expected path. This strongly suggests that the satellites were not successfully placed into orbit.
A detailed investigation is underway, and its findings will be crucial for restoring confidence in one of India’s most important launch vehicles.
Why PSLV-C62 Matters
The PSLV is often called the workhorse of India’s space program. It has launched hundreds of satellites for India and international customers. Two consecutive failures — both during the third stage — represent a serious challenge at a time when India is positioning itself as a global space launch hub.
The final outcome of the PSLV-C62 mission could influence:
- India’s international satellite contracts
- Private space startup growth
- The future of industry-built rockets in India
