Newdelhi | 12-01-2026
India’s space programme suffered a major setback on Monday after the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) lost all 16 satellites onboard its PSLV-C62 mission following a mid-flight anomaly.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) lifted off as scheduled from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh, marking ISRO’s first launch of the year. While the initial stages of the launch were reported to be normal, officials said a problem occurred during the third stage of the rocket, causing the mission to deviate from its intended trajectory.
Anomaly During Third Stage
According to ISRO, an issue was detected at the end of the PS3 (third) stage, after which the rocket failed to achieve the required orbit. As a result, all 16 satellites onboard could not be placed into space and were effectively lost.
The mission was carrying a mix of Earth observation and co-passenger satellites, including payloads from domestic and international partners. The loss is expected to impact several research, commercial, and observation programmes linked to the mission.
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Blow to ISRO’s Workhorse Rocket
The PSLV has long been considered ISRO’s most reliable launch vehicle, with a strong track record spanning decades. However, this failure comes as a concern, especially as it is the second major setback involving a PSLV mission within a year, raising questions about recent technical challenges.
ISRO confirmed the anomaly through an official update and said a detailed investigation has been initiated to identify the root cause of the failure.
ISRO Begins Investigation
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said that mission data is being closely analysed and that the space agency will take corrective measures based on the findings.
Despite the setback, officials emphasised that failures are part of complex space missions and that lessons from the incident will be used to strengthen future launches.
What’s Next
The loss of 16 satellites is a significant blow to India’s space ambitions, particularly at a time when ISRO is preparing for several upcoming scientific and commercial missions. A detailed failure analysis report is expected in the coming days, which will outline the cause of the anomaly and the steps being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For now, the focus remains on investigation and recovery, as ISRO works to restore confidence in its launch systems.
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