Sriharikota – In a major setback for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), 15 of the 16 satellites aboard the PSLV-C62 rocket were lost after an anomaly during the critical third stage of its flight. Yet, against all odds, a small Spanish startup payload—KID (Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator)—successfully separated from the rocket and began transmitting data, emerging as the sole outlier in a mission that was otherwise unsuccessful.

The PSLV-C62 mission, designated ‘EOS N1’, lifted off as scheduled from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Monday at 10:18 am. The 44.4-metre tall four-stage rocket was intended to place a primary Earth Observation satellite, along with 15 co-passenger satellites, into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit at an altitude of 512 km after a flight of approximately 17 minutes.

The mission followed an automated launch sequence, and ISRO scientists provided real-time updates as the vehicle ascended. Initial stages of the flight progressed smoothly, but trouble arose after the third stage ignited.

Anomaly in Third Stage Causes Massive Loss

According to ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, disturbances in the rocket and deviation from the intended flight path were observed during the third stage, when strap-on motors were providing critical thrust. “We observed anomalies in the vehicle during third-stage flight, leading to the satellites not reaching the intended orbit,” he said. The space agency immediately initiated a detailed analysis to determine the cause.

ISRO sources indicated that 15 satellites, including key Indian and foreign payloads, failed to separate correctly or achieve orbit. Among the lost satellites were DRDO’s Anvesha, a strategic reconnaissance satellite designed to detect military camouflage from nearly 500 km; AayulSAT, India’s first in-orbit refueling satellite; and CGUSAT, a student-developed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite intended for emergency communications and disaster management. The mission also included an Earth Observation satellite developed jointly by Thailand and the United Kingdom.

A similar setback had occurred during PSLV-C61-EOS-09 in May 2025, when a motor pressure issue caused the mission to fail. Former ISRO scientists caution that analyzing the data, understanding the cause, and implementing corrective measures will take time, noting that the lost satellites may now be drifting as space debris.

The KID Capsule: A Ray of Success

Amid the losses, KID, a small-scale prototype of a re-entry vehicle developed by the Spanish startup Orbital Paradigm, managed to separate from the PSLV-C62. The capsule switched on and transmitted telemetry data back to ground stations, offering a small but significant achievement in an otherwise disappointing mission.

“Our KID capsule, against all odds, separated from PSLV-C62, switched on, and transmitted data. We are reconstructing the trajectory and will release a full report soon,” the startup said in a post on X. The success of KID underscores the potential of smaller experimental payloads to survive adverse launch conditions, even when larger satellites fail to achieve orbit.

ISRO’s Response and Next Steps

Confirming the anomaly, ISRO stated on its X handle: “The PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly during the end of PS3 (third stage) of the vehicle. A detailed analysis has been initiated.” The agency refrained from labeling the mission as a complete failure, noting that the investigation is ongoing.

During a brief press conference, Chairman Narayanan said, “Today we attempted PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission. The mission could not proceed along the expected flight path. We are currently analysing data collected from all ground stations and will provide a comprehensive report once the analysis is completed.”

ISRO emphasised that a thorough investigation will determine the technical cause behind the third-stage disturbance. Lessons from this incident are expected to inform future PSLV missions and improve overall reliability.

Broader Implications

The PSLV-C62 setback highlights the challenges inherent in launching multiple satellites in a single mission. While the PSLV has a long history of reliability, recent anomalies underline the risks posed by complex staging, strap-on motor performance, and payload separation sequences.

For India, which has invested heavily in space-based observation, defense, and commercial satellite capabilities, the loss represents a temporary setback but not a derailment of ongoing programs. ISRO has consistently recovered from mission anomalies in the past, and future launches are expected to integrate lessons from PSLV-C62.

Meanwhile, KID’s successful deployment provides valuable data on re-entry technology and demonstrates the resilience of smaller experimental payloads in adverse conditions. Experts believe that such successes, even amid larger setbacks, are crucial for the development of next-generation space technologies.

As ISRO analyses the anomaly and prepares official findings, the space community will be closely watching both the technical investigation and the trajectory of the KID capsule, the lone bright spot in the PSLV-C62 mission.

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