In a major disappointment for India’s space program, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reported a mission failure for its first launch of the year. The PSLV-C62 mission, which lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Monday, January 12, 2026, encountered a critical technical anomaly that prevented its payloads from reaching their intended orbit.
Technical Glitch in the Third Stage
The 44.4-meter-tall Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) achieved a perfect liftoff at 10:18 AM IST, carrying 16 satellites, including the primary payload, Anvesha (EOS-N1). While the first two stages performed nominally, the mission encountered a "performance disturbance" during the final moments of the third-stage (PS3) burn.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan confirmed the anomaly shortly after the telemetry signals showed a significant deviation in the flight path. "The vehicle performed as expected up to the end of the third stage. However, toward the conclusion of the PS3 stage, we observed increased disturbances in the vehicle's roll rates, leading to a deviation from the trajectory. We are currently analyzing the data to identify the root cause," Dr. Narayanan stated.
Significant Losses: 16 Satellites Feared Lost
The mission's failure is a heavy blow to both strategic and commercial space sectors. The satellites lost include:
Anvesha (EOS-N1): A high-tech Earth observation satellite developed by DRDO for strategic surveillance.
Commercial Payloads: 15 co-passenger satellites, including nine systems from the Hyderabad-based startup Dhruva Space and international payloads from Spain and Nepal.
MOI-1: A pioneering "Space Cybercafe" and AI image laboratory designed to demonstrate edge computing in orbit. ZAVERI PEARLS Set of 3 Rose Gold Contemporary Cubic Zirconia Brass Adjustable Rings For Women-ZPFK11177
A Troubling Pattern: Second Consecutive Failure
The failure of PSLV-C62 marks a rare and concerning trend for the rocket often called ISRO's "trusted workhorse." This is the second time in less than a year that the PSLV has stumbled at the same hurdle. On May 18, 2025, the PSLV-C61 mission also failed due to a pressure drop in the third stage.
ISRO has initiated a detailed analysis through its Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) to determine if this is a recurring structural or mechanical flaw in the solid-fuel motor of the third stage. Also Read: India to Welcome New Income Tax Act on April 1: Drastic Reduction in Sections and Simplified Compliance Ahead!?