ISRO's PSLV-C62 Mission Faces Setback Despite Launch Success

The PSLV-C62 mission by ISRO, launched on January 12, 2026, faced a significant setback despite a successful lift-off. All 16 satellites were lost due to a technical malfunction shortly after launch. This incident raises concerns about the reliability of future missions and the impact on India's space ambitions, including plans for over 100 satellites and the Gaganyaan project. The investigation into the failure is underway, with ISRO's leadership promising a swift recovery. Read on to learn more about the implications of this setback for India's space program.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 12, 2026, 12:04 IST

Significant Setback for India's Space Ambitions

On January 12, 2026, India's aspirations in space took a major hit when the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV-C62 mission, despite a successful launch, failed to achieve its objectives. Due to a technical malfunction, all 16 satellites sent into orbit were lost. The PSLV-DL variant, weighing 260 tons, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 10:17 AM, creating a spectacular roar as it ascended. The initial two phases of the mission proceeded without any issues, and the rocket successfully completed its separation process, generating excitement among viewers nationwide. ISRO's chief, V. Narayanan, confirmed, "The vehicle's performance was normal at the end of the third stage, but we observed a roll rate anomaly and deviation in the flight path. We are analyzing the data and will provide further updates."

Mission Overview

The primary satellite, EOS-N1 (Anvesha), developed by DRDO, was intended for maritime surveillance and was accompanied by 15 co-passengers, including payloads from Indian students, experiments from private firms, and Spain's KID re-entry demonstrator. The mission aimed to reach a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 505 kilometers.

Launch Challenges

The vehicle completed solid booster separation without any interruptions; however, issues during the third stage halted progress approximately eight minutes after launch, reminiscent of the chamber pressure drop that led to the failure of EOS-09.

Investigation and Analysis

ISRO has confirmed deviations from the planned flight path, prompting the initiation of a failure analysis committee investigation, although the immediate cause has not yet been disclosed.

Impact of PSLV-C61 Failure

This marks the second rare failure of the PSLV in eight months, tarnishing the legacy of 94% success from the previous 63 flights, which had successfully launched missions like Chandrayaan-1 and Aditya-L1.

Concerns Over Future Missions

Following the unpublished report on C61, concerns regarding transparency have been raised, and the failure of C62's third stage has intensified worries about the reliability of solid-fuel motors, nozzle issues, or casing integrity amid the rushed scheduling for 2026.

Challenges for Commercial Rideshare

Commercial rideshare through NSIL is now facing a decline in confidence, which could impact the development of India's private space ecosystem. This dual setback poses a threat to ISRO's plans for 2026, which include launching over 100 satellites, expanding NavIC, and preparing for Gaganyaan, especially against private competitors.

Future Prospects

The modular design of PSLV promises a swift recovery, but the lack of transparency raises the risk of parliamentary scrutiny similar to that of 2025. Chairman V. Narayanan's team has pledged a rapid recovery while monitoring options for LVM3, maintaining self-reliance amid global scrutiny of India's space capabilities.