Published: 11 January 2026Spaceflight NowGeneral
ISRO's PSLV-C62 Mission Fails Due to Third-Stage Anomaly; 16 Satellites Lost
ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission, launched on January 12, 2026 from Sriharikota, failed to reach its intended orbit after a third-stage anomaly. The first and second stages performed normally, but a deviation in roll-rate flight controls near the end of the third stage's operation caused the failure — marking the second consecutive PSLV failure.
The primary payload was the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) strategic imaging satellite built by DRDO. Twelve other commercial payloads from India, Brazil, Nepal, Thailand, Spain, France, and the UK were also lost. The only survivor was Spain's KID re-entry capsule which separated and transmitted data for three minutes. ISRO constituted a Failure Analysis Committee chaired by former chairman K. Sivan, with the report due to PMO by June. Next PSLV launch is scheduled for late June 2026.
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Q: Examine the reasons and strategic implications of the PSLV-C62 mission failure for India's space programme and ISRO's launch reliability record.
Answer (50 words):
ISRO's PSLV-C62, launched from Sriharikota on January 12, 2026, failed after a third-stage roll-rate anomaly, marking the second consecutive PSLV failure. The primary payload EOS-N1 (Anvesha), a DRDO strategic imaging satellite, and twelve international commercial payloads were lost. A Failure Analysis Committee chaired by K. Sivan will report.
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Linked questionMedium
Which strategic imaging satellite, built by DRDO, was the primary payload of the failed PSLV-C62 mission launched on January 12, 2026?
Explanation · Correct answer CThe primary payload of PSLV-C62 was the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) strategic imaging satellite built by DRDO. The mission carried EOS-N1 plus 15 co-passenger satellites; EOS-N1 and 14 co-passenger satellites were planned for a Sun Synchronous Orbit, while the KID Capsule was planned for a re-entry trajectory. These payloads, from India, Brazil, Nepal, Thailand, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, were lost in the failure.
Frequently asked questions
Why did ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission fail on January 12, 2026 and what payloads were lost?
**ISRO's PSLV-C62** failed on **January 12, 2026** (launched from **Sriharikota / Satish Dhawan Space Centre**) due to a **roll-rate disturbance near the end of the third stage**, causing uncontrollable flight path deviation. This was the **second consecutive PSLV failure** with both anomalies affecting the third stage. All **16 satellites** were lost, including the **EOS-N1 (Anvesha)** strategic imaging satellite built by **DRDO** and 15 rideshare satellites from 7 countries (Brazil, Nepal, Thailand, Spain, France, UK).
What is the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) satellite that was lost in the PSLV-C62 failure?
**EOS-N1 (Anvesha)** was the **primary payload** of the **PSLV-C62 mission** (January 12, 2026) — a **strategic Earth-observing / imaging satellite** developed by **DRDO** for defence and reconnaissance purposes. It was lost when the PSLV-C62 failed due to a **third-stage roll-rate disturbance**. The only partial success was **Spain's KID re-entry capsule** which separated and transmitted data for **3 minutes** before being lost. This was the **second consecutive PSLV failure**.
Who chairs the Failure Analysis Committee formed after the PSLV-C62 failure and when is the report due?
**ISRO** constituted a **Failure Analysis Committee (FAC)** chaired by **former ISRO Chairman K. Sivan** to investigate the **PSLV-C62 failure** (January 12, 2026). The FAC was directed to submit its **report to the PMO by June 2026**. The next PSLV launch is scheduled for **late June 2026**. The failure raised questions about the **aging PSLV design**, particularly its **50+ year-old solid motor technology** used in the third stage. An **external agency** was also consulted.
What was Spain's KID re-entry capsule that survived the PSLV-C62 failure briefly?
**Spain's KID re-entry capsule** was the **only survivor** of the **PSLV-C62 failure** (January 12, 2026). After the third-stage anomaly, the KID capsule **separated from the rocket** and **transmitted data for approximately 3 minutes** before it too was lost. It was among **15 rideshare satellites** carried alongside the primary payload **EOS-N1 (Anvesha)**. The mission, launched from **Satish Dhawan Space Centre**, marked the **second consecutive PSLV failure** both involving the third stage.
What questions does the PSLV-C62 failure raise about the future of India's space programme?
The **PSLV-C62 failure** (January 12, 2026) — the **second consecutive PSLV failure** — raises questions about the **aging PSLV rocket's design**, particularly its **50+ year-old solid motor technology** used in the third stage. ISRO has constituted a **Failure Analysis Committee** chaired by **K. Sivan** (report due to PMO by June 2026), with the next PSLV launch scheduled for **late June 2026**. Lost payloads included **EOS-N1 (Anvesha)** by DRDO and **15 rideshare satellites** from 7 countries.
