What happened to ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission?

PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 Mission Failure — UPSC Study Note

1. At a Glance

• PSLV-C62 was ISRO's first launch of 2026, carrying the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Earth Observation Satellite and 15 co-passenger satellites, that ended in failure on 12 January 2026. [S1][S2]
• The mission failed due to an anomaly during the end of the PS3 (third) stage, which caused uncontrolled vehicle roll and trajectory deviation, preventing orbital insertion. [S1][S3]
• It marked the PSLV's second failure in under eight months — a historically rare event for a vehicle with a ~94% success rate over 63 flights. [S2]
• Relevant for GS-III (Space Technology), and for appreciation of India's strategic remote-sensing capability and institutional resilience (FAC process). [S1]

2. Why in the News

• 12 January 2026: PSLV-C62 lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, at 10:18 IST. Within minutes of launch, ISRO declared an anomaly in the PS3 stage; satellites were never deployed. [S1][S3]
• ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed in a post-launch briefing that vehicle performance was nominal up to near-end of PS3, then "disturbance in vehicle roll rates" caused a flight-path deviation. [S3]
• Thailand's GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency), whose THEOS-2A satellite was among the 15 co-passengers, publicly confirmed the malfunction. [S3]
• The event followed the earlier PSLV-C61 failure, making two consecutive anomalies a matter of national and international concern. [S2]

3. Background & Evolution

• PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is ISRO's workhorse launcher, operational since 1993 (first successful flight: October 1994). [S1]
• Designed as a four-stage vehicle alternating solid (PS1, PS3) and liquid (PS2, PS4) propulsion stages; also carries strap-on solid boosters (up to 6) in XL configuration.
• Has launched satellites for over 30 countries and placed major Indian missions in orbit (Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, etc.).
• By early 2026, PSLV had completed 63 flights with a success rate of approximately 94%. [S2]
• PSLV-C61 (2025) was the previous failure — the FAC (Failure Analysis Committee) report for C61 had not been released publicly as of January 2026. [S3]

4. Core Static Facts

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Scientific / Technological

• The PS3 stage uses solid propellant (HTPB-based); a chamber pressure drop is typically linked to propellant burn-rate anomalies, nozzle erosion, or ignition irregularities. [S2]
• Uncontrolled roll (spinning on the longitudinal axis) causes attitude-control failure — the vehicle can no longer maintain its planned trajectory. [S3]
• EOS-N1 / Anvesha was a hyperspectral imaging satellite — capable of identifying materials by their spectral signature, critical for agriculture monitoring, mineral mapping, and strategic surveillance. [S2]
• Loss of this satellite is a setback for DRDO's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability enhancement programme. [S2]

Geopolitical / Strategic

• EOS-N1 was described as India's "super eye" for advanced surveillance; its loss weakens near-term ISR capacity at a time of heightened regional tensions. [S2]
• International co-passenger loss (Thailand's THEOS-2A) has diplomatic and commercial implications — ISRO's commercial arm NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) reputation is affected. [S3]
• Two consecutive PSLV failures signal a reliability concern for international commercial launch clients who may reconsider ISRO/NSIL contracts.

Economic

• PSLV-C62 failure results in loss of the rocket, primary satellite, and 15 co-passenger satellites — a significant financial setback; EOS-N1 was a DRDO-commissioned strategic asset. [S2]
• Launches from SDSC by NSIL (commercial wing) contribute to India's growing space economy ($8+ billion target by 2033). A reliability crisis impacts competitiveness against SpaceX, Rocket Lab, etc.

Administrative / Governance

• ISRO constitutes a Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) after each mishap; FAC is not a permanent standing body — it is formed on a case-by-case basis. [S3]
• FAC for PSLV-C61 had not been made public as of January 2026, raising concerns about transparency in ISRO's failure analysis process. [S3]
• The sequential failures will likely prompt the Department of Space to order a system-level quality audit before the next PSLV launch.

Historical

• PSLV's earlier failures: PSLV-D1 (1993) — first development flight failed; PSLV-C39 (2017) — heat shield failure. The PSLV-C61 (2025) + PSLV-C62 (2026) sequence is the first two-in-a-row failure in the vehicle's history. [S2]

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 2025: PSLV-C61 failed — became the first PSLV failure after nearly a decade; FAC constituted but report not publicly released. [S3]
• 12 January 2026: PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 fails at PS3 stage; ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirms anomaly in a televised briefing. [S1][S3]
• 13 January 2026: Thailand's GISTDA issues a statement confirming attitude-control abnormality and trajectory deviation; THEOS-2A lost. [S3]
• 16 January 2026: As of this date, ISRO had not released a root-cause statement; investigation ongoing. [S3]
• 18 January 2026: The Hindu publishes a detailed explainer on the PSLV-C62 anomaly (article in question). [S3]

7. Prelims Hooks

• PSLV-C62 was launched on 12 January 2026 from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. [S1]
• It carried 16 satellites total: 1 primary (EOS-N1) + 15 co-passengers. [S1][S3]
• The primary satellite EOS-N1 is also known as "Anvesha", a DRDO hyperspectral imaging satellite. [S2]
• The anomaly occurred during the PS3 (third) stage of PSLV — a solid propellant stage. [S2][S3]
• Root cause (preliminary): sudden drop in chamber pressure in the PS3 engine reducing thrust. [S2]
• Thailand's GISTDA lost its THEOS-2A satellite as a co-passenger in this mission. [S3]
• ISRO Chairman at the time of the failure: V. Narayanan. [S3]
• PSLV had a success rate of approximately 94% over 63 flights prior to C62. [S2]
• PSLV-C62 was ISRO's first launch of 2026 and represented a second consecutive PSLV failure (after PSLV-C61). [S2]
• A Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) is ISRO's post-mishap investigative body — it is NOT a permanent/standing body. [S3]
• PSLV is a four-stage vehicle alternating solid and liquid propulsion: PS1 (solid) → PS2 (liquid) → PS3 (solid) → PS4 (liquid). [S1]
• The commercial arm of ISRO responsible for satellite launch services is NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). [S2]
• SDSC Sriharikota is located in Andhra Pradesh — India's only operational spaceport. [S1]

8. Mains Relevance

GS Paper: GS-III — Science and Technology (Space Technology; indigenization; strategic capability)

Specific Syllabus Headings: - Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology - Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology

Plausible Mains Question Stems: 1. "Two consecutive failures of India's PSLV raise questions about quality assurance in ISRO. Critically examine the institutional mechanisms ISRO deploys to ensure mission reliability and suggest reforms." 2. "The loss of EOS-N1 (Anvesha) has strategic and diplomatic implications for India. Discuss the role of Earth Observation Satellites in India's security architecture." 3. "The absence of public Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) reports undermines accountability in national space missions. Comment on the need for greater transparency in ISRO's mission failure communication."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

1. PS3 is solid, not liquid: Aspirants confuse PSLV stages. PS1 and PS3 are solid; PS2 and PS4 are liquid. The failure was in a solid stage (PS3), not a liquid stage.
2. EOS-N1 ≠ civilian remote sensing: Unlike most EOS satellites (weather, agriculture), EOS-N1 / Anvesha was a DRDO/strategic hyperspectral asset — often confused with civilian EOS missions.
3. FAC is not a standing body: A common trap — ISRO's Failure Analysis Committee is ad hoc, constituted per mishap, not a permanent institutional committee.
4. GISTDA is Thailand's agency, not another Indian body: THEOS-2A belonged to Thailand (GISTDA), not to an Indian ministry or institution. Don't confuse GISTDA with ISRO or IN-SPACe.
5. "Second failure in eight months" ≠ PSLV's second-ever failure: PSLV had earlier failures (PSLV-D1 in 1993, PSLV-C39 in 2017). The "second failure in eight months" refers only to the C61→C62 sequence, not the vehicle's lifetime record.

11. Sources

• [S1] PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 Mission — https://www.isro.gov.in/Mission_PSLV_C62.html — (Tier 1)
• [S2] "India fails to put 'super eye' satellite in orbit: Why the loss matters" — Business Standard — https://www.business-standard.com/blueprint-defence-magazine/news/india-fails-to-put-super-eye-satellite-in-orbit-why-the-loss-matters-126011300715_1.html — (Tier 4)
• [S3] "What happened to ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission?" — The Hindu, 18 January 2026 (article excerpt supplied as primary source) — https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/2026-01-18/th_international/articleGR6FF0HHI-13146544.ece — (Tier 4)