Sriharikota, Jan 12, 2026: In a significant setback for India’s space program, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that its PSLV-C62 rocket, tasked with deploying 16 satellites, including a foreign Earth Observation satellite, encountered a critical anomaly during flight, resulting in a deviation from its intended trajectory and the failure to place the payloads into orbit. The incident, which unfolded during the rocket’s third stage, marks the second consecutive PSLV mission failure, following a similar anomaly observed during the May 2025 mission.

The PSLV-C62 was designed to launch the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-N1 (Anvesha) along with fifteen co-passenger satellites into a 512-kilometre Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). These satellites were intended for a variety of applications, including environmental monitoring, resource mapping, and technological experiments. The failure of the mission not only impacts ISRO’s domestic objectives but also raises concerns among international partners relying on Indian launch services for satellite deployment.

Launch Sequence and Initial Performance

The launch sequence began after a 22.5-hour countdown, with the rocket scheduled to lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 10:18 AM IST. Standing 44.4 metres tall, the PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle, comprising two solid-fuel stages and two liquid-fuel stages. It has been historically regarded as the workhorse of the Indian space program, known for its reliability and versatility, having executed missions to the Moon, Mars, and numerous satellites for both domestic and international clients.

The initial stages of the flight proceeded without incident, with both the first and second stages performing as planned. The automatic launch sequence commenced following approval from the mission director, and ISRO scientists provided continuous real-time updates as the vehicle ascended. The successful performance of the first two stages initially suggested that the launch was proceeding according to expectations.

Emergence of the Anomaly

Trouble arose during the third stage of the rocket, when the strap-on motors were providing the necessary thrust to propel the vehicle to the intended altitude. ISRO chairman V Narayanan, who also serves as the Secretary of the Department of Space, explained that the PSLV-C62 encountered disturbances close to the end of the third-stage burn, leading to a deviation from the planned trajectory.

“The PSLV is a four-stage vehicle with two solid stages and two liquid stages. The performance of the vehicle up to the end of the third stage was as expected. Close to the end of the third stage, we observed more disturbance in the vehicle and subsequently a deviation from the flight path,” Narayanan said during a press briefing at the Mission Control Centre.

Following this deviation, it became clear that the rocket would not achieve the precision required to inject the satellites into their intended orbits. While ISRO immediately began assessing telemetry and tracking data, officials confirmed that all 16 satellites onboard were lost, as the mission could no longer fulfill its objectives.

ISRO’s Official Statement

In a brief statement on X (formerly Twitter), ISRO confirmed the anomaly, stating:

“The PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly during the end of PS3 of the vehicle. A detailed analysis has been initiated.”

Chairman Narayanan emphasized that the agency is meticulously analyzing all available data collected from ground stations to determine the root cause of the anomaly. “We are going through the data, and once the analysis is completed, we shall provide a comprehensive report,” he added. At this stage, ISRO has not provided further technical details regarding the exact reason behind the disturbance in the third stage.

Significance of the Failure

The failure of PSLV-C62 is particularly notable because the previous PSLV mission in May 2025 also encountered a third-stage anomaly. This has raised concerns about potential systemic issues within the PSLV program, given that the rocket has historically enjoyed a high success rate and has been a dependable vehicle for both domestic and international satellite launches.

ISRO’s PSLV program has been instrumental in establishing India as a competitive player in the global commercial satellite launch market. With multiple foreign clients relying on ISRO for cost-effective satellite deployment, the consecutive failures may necessitate additional scrutiny of design, integration, and operational procedures to ensure continued reliability.

The loss of the EOS-N1 satellite and the accompanying co-passenger satellites affects not only domestic Earth observation and scientific research but also delays international collaborations. Countries that had entrusted ISRO with their payloads will now have to recalibrate schedules and consider alternative launch opportunities, which could potentially have financial and strategic implications.

Technical Context and Challenges

The PSLV, which stands for Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, has been the backbone of ISRO’s space missions. It is a four-stage vehicle, with alternating solid and liquid fuel stages designed to maximize reliability and versatility. The third stage, which failed during the PSLV-C62 mission, is a liquid-fueled stage, crucial for achieving the precise velocity and trajectory necessary for orbit insertion.

The disturbance observed near the end of the third stage suggests that the rocket may have experienced either a mechanical, structural, or propulsion-related anomaly. ISRO officials have not ruled out issues related to vibration, thrust vector control, or propulsion instability. The agency has initiated a detailed analysis that will include data from ground tracking stations, telemetry records, onboard sensors, and post-flight simulations to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the anomaly.

ISRO’s Response and Next Steps

While the mission’s failure is undoubtedly a setback, ISRO has emphasized that it is committed to a thorough investigation. The agency’s approach will likely focus on:

1. Identifying the exact cause of the third-stage disturbance.
2. Assessing whether any design, manufacturing, or operational factors contributed to the anomaly.
3. Developing corrective measures and testing protocols to prevent recurrence in future PSLV missions.

Historically, ISRO has been resilient in overcoming setbacks, with past failures prompting improvements in design, quality assurance, and mission planning. The agency’s track record suggests that lessons learned from the PSLV-C62 anomaly will inform future missions, enhancing both reliability and performance.

Implications for India’s Space Program

The consecutive PSLV setbacks underscore the risks inherent in space launches, even for vehicles with a long history of success. They also highlight the importance of continuous innovation, rigorous testing, and redundancy in mission-critical systems.

For ISRO, the PSLV-C62 anomaly may have short-term implications, including rescheduling upcoming launches, addressing international commitments, and evaluating payload integration procedures. However, the long-term vision of India’s space program—ranging from Earth observation and communication satellites to interplanetary missions—remains unaffected. The agency has demonstrated resilience in the past, successfully recovering from mission failures and advancing to more complex missions.

Public and Scientific Reaction

The PSLV-C62 failure has drawn attention from the scientific community, policy makers, and the public. While there is disappointment, experts emphasize the importance of systematic analysis over speculation, noting that the complexity of space launches means that even minor anomalies can lead to mission failure.

ISRO’s leadership has stressed that scientific inquiry and engineering rigor will guide the investigation, ensuring that future PSLV missions regain their reliability. The agency has also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, promising to share findings with stakeholders once the analysis is complete.

Conclusion

The PSLV-C62 mission, despite its initial promise, has ended in failure due to a third-stage anomaly, resulting in the loss of all 16 satellites onboard. As India’s space program continues to expand, such setbacks, while unfortunate, provide crucial opportunities for learning and improvement. ISRO’s systematic approach to analyzing anomalies, refining technologies, and enhancing mission protocols will play a critical role in maintaining the credibility and effectiveness of the PSLV program.

In the coming weeks, ISRO will provide a detailed post-flight investigation report, which is expected to shed light on the technical reasons for the anomaly and outline corrective measures for future missions. Meanwhile, the agency continues to work toward fulfilling its domestic and international commitments, ensuring that India’s space ambitions remain on a forward trajectory despite this setback.