Published: 11 January 2026Spaceflight NowGeneral
ISRO's PSLV-C62 Mission Fails After Third-Stage Anomaly; 16 Satellites Lost
India's PSLV-C62 rocket, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on January 12, 2026, carrying the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Earth-observing satellite and 15 rideshare satellites, failed due to a critical anomaly at the end of the third stage. A roll-rate disturbance near the end of the third stage's operation caused a deviation in the flight path, making control impossible.
This marked the second consecutive PSLV failure with both anomalies affecting the third stage. All 16 satellites were lost. In view of the failure, a National Level Expert Committee has been constituted to review the reason for the PSLV-C62 anomaly and recommend corrective measures; PSLV will return to flight after those corrective actions are implemented.
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Linked questionEasy
The PSLV-C62 mission failure was caused by an anomaly in which stage of the rocket?
Explanation · Correct answer CThe PSLV-C62 mission failed after an anomaly was reported near the end of the PS3, or third-stage, phase. Therefore, among the listed options, the third stage is the correct answer.
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.
