ISRO’s PSLV-C62 Mission Fails After Launch, 16 Satellites Lost Due to Third-Stage Anomaly

India’s space programme faced a significant setback on January 12, 2026, after Indian Space Research Organisation lost control of its PSLV-C62 mission, leading to the loss of all 16 satellites onboard. The failure occurred shortly after a visually flawless launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, dampening what initially appeared to be another routine success for India’s workhorse rocket.

The 260-tonne PSLV-DL variant lifted off at 10:17 am IST, rising smoothly through the first two propulsion stages. Initial flight phases, including solid booster burn and stage separations, were completed as planned, drawing widespread public attention and optimism. However, the mission encountered a critical anomaly during the ignition phase of the third stage, after which telemetry data from the launch vehicle abruptly ceased.

According to ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, mission engineers observed unexpected roll-rate disturbances and deviation from the intended flight trajectory toward the end of the PS3 stage. These deviations ultimately prevented the vehicle from achieving the targeted 505-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit, resulting in the loss of the mission payload.

The PSLV-C62 mission was carrying EOS-N1 (Anvesha), a Defence Research and Development Organisation satellite designed for maritime surveillance, along with 15 secondary payloads. These included experimental satellites developed by Indian academic institutions, private space startups, and international partners, including Spain’s KID re-entry demonstrator. None of the payloads could be deployed due to the premature loss of mission control.

ISRO confirmed that the vehicle deviated from its planned trajectory roughly eight minutes after liftoff, closely mirroring the failure pattern seen during the PSLV-C61 mission in 2025. That earlier mission had also suffered a third-stage chamber pressure anomaly, raising renewed concerns over the reliability of the PSLV’s solid-fuel PS3 motor.

With this incident, PSLV has now recorded two failures within an eight-month span, an unusual occurrence for a launch system that had previously maintained a success rate exceeding 94 percent across more than six decades of missions. The PSLV has historically played a central role in India’s space achievements, including the launch of Chandrayaan-1 and Aditya-L1, as well as numerous commercial satellite deployments.

ISRO has constituted a Failure Analysis Committee to investigate the root cause of the PSLV-C62 anomaly. Officials have stated that a detailed technical review is underway, though no immediate timeline has been shared for public disclosure of findings. The recurrence of third-stage issues has intensified scrutiny over design integrity, manufacturing processes, and testing timelines amid ISRO’s ambitious 2026 launch schedule.

The failure also poses challenges for India’s commercial launch ambitions through NewSpace India Limited, as PSLV remains a key platform for international rideshare missions. Industry observers note that repeated anomalies could temporarily affect global confidence in India’s small-satellite launch services.

Despite the setback, ISRO leadership has reiterated its commitment to rapid corrective action, leveraging the modular nature of PSLV for design improvements while continuing parallel preparations for upcoming missions, including Gaganyaan and NavIC expansion. The agency has indicated that alternative launch vehicles may be utilised to maintain mission timelines where necessary.