ISRO's PSLV-C62 Mission Faces Setback: 2026's First Orbital Launch Fails

On January 12, 2026, ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission, intended to be the first orbital launch of the year, faced a significant setback due to technical issues during its third stage. Despite a successful lift-off, the mission ultimately failed to deploy its payloads, including the crucial EOS-N1 hyperspectral imaging satellite. This incident marks the second consecutive failure for the PSLV series, raising concerns as ISRO investigates the root causes. With a strong history of successful missions, the organization now faces a critical challenge in restoring confidence in its launch capabilities. Read on for a detailed overview of the mission and its implications.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 12, 2026, 12:08 IST

PSLV-C62 Mission Overview

On January 12, 2026, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the PSLV-C62 rocket from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This marked the 64th flight of the PSLV and was intended to be ISRO's inaugural orbital mission for the year. The rocket lifted off successfully at 10:18 AM IST, but encountered a significant technical issue towards the end of its third stage (PS3).

Incident Details

The initial two stages of the rocket performed as expected, with normal separation. However, disturbances in roll rates and deviations in the flight path were observed at the conclusion of the PS3 stage. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that the vehicle's performance was satisfactory until the third stage, after which complications arose. Consequently, the satellites could not be deployed into their intended orbits, leading to the probable loss of all payloads.

Mission Objectives and Payloads

The primary payload was the EOS-N1 satellite, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This hyperspectral imaging satellite was designed for advanced Earth observation, capable of imaging across hundreds of narrow wavelength bands. Its applications included material identification, strategic surveillance, border monitoring, agriculture, and disaster management, making it a crucial asset for defense operations.

In addition to the main satellite, there were 15 co-passenger satellites, bringing the total to 16. These included payloads from Indian startups, universities, and international partners from countries such as Nepal, Spain, and Thailand, covering areas like AI image labs, on-orbit refueling tests, and communication technologies. A Spanish re-entry capsule (KID) was also part of the mission.

Current Status

ISRO has officially declared the mission a failure. The team is currently engaged in data analysis to identify the root cause of the issues encountered. While this presents a challenge for ISRO, the PSLV has a strong track record with 63 successful missions prior to this incident.