The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a significant setback on January 12, 2026, when its PSLV-C62 mission failed to place satellites into their intended orbit. The launch, which marked ISRO’s first space mission of 2026, took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, and initially appeared successful before an unexpected anomaly altered the mission’s outcome.
Mission Overview: PSLV-C62 at a Glance Launch Vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) Launch Date: January 12, 2026 Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota Primary Payload: EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Earth Observation Satellite Total Payloads: 16 satellites Target Orbit: Sun-synchronous orbit The mission was designed to deploy satellites for Earth observation, maritime surveillance, scientific research, and technology demonstration, including payloads from Indian startups and international partners.
Launch and Initial Performance PSLV-C62 lifted off on schedule and performed nominally during the first and second stages. The vehicle maintained a stable ascent, and early flight parameters matched the mission plan, raising hopes of another successful PSLV launch However, during the third stage (PS3) of the rocket, mission controllers observed an unexpected deviation in vehicle performance. Soon after, ISRO confirmed that the rocket could not achieve the required trajectory and velocity needed for satellite deployment
What Went Wrong? According to ISRO officials, the mission encountered a third-stage anomaly, which caused Deviation from the planned flight path Failure to achieve orbital velocity Inability to deploy satellites As a result, all 16 satellites failed to reach orbit and are considered lost. ISRO has stated that detailed telemetry and flight data are currently being analysed to identify the exact cause.
A Rare Setback for PSLV The PSLV rocket, often referred to as ISRO’s workhorse, has historically enjoyed a strong success record spanning decades. It has launched major missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), and Aditya-L1, along with hundreds of domestic and international satellites. However, the PSLV-C62 failure comes after another rare setback in 2025, raising concerns over repeated third-stage issues. While launch failures are part of space exploration, back-to-back anomalies demand closer scrutiny.
Impact on India’s Space Ecosystem Strategic Impact The loss of EOS-N1 affects planned Earth observation and surveillance capabilities, which are critical for national and environmental monitoring. Commercial & Startup Impact Several Indian startups and international customers had satellites onboard. The failure impacts timelines, research goals, and commercial confidence, though most payloads are insured. Reputation & Reliability While ISRO remains a globally respected space agency, maintaining confidence among international launch partners will depend on transparent investigation and corrective action.
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What Happens Next? ISRO has initiated a failure analysis investigation, which will Examine flight data and telemetry Identify technical or procedural shortcomings Recommend design or operational improvements Historically, ISRO has demonstrated resilience, learning from failures and returning stronger. Experts believe corrective steps will be taken before upcoming missions.
The PSLV-C62 mission failure is a reminder that space exploration is complex and unforgiving. While the setback is disappointing, it also presents an opportunity for ISRO to strengthen systems, improve reliability, and reinforce confidence in its launch capabilities. As India continues to expand its presence in the global space economy, how ISRO responds to this challenge will be as important as the launch itself.
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