Indian Space Research Organisation Suffers First Setback of 2026 as PSLV-C62 Mission Fails After Third-Stage Anomaly

India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), has suffered a setback in its very first mission of 2026. The PSLV-C62 rocket, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota at 10:18 am on Monday, deviated from its intended orbital path, resulting in the mission being declared a failure. A total of 16 satellites were to be placed into space through this mission.

A Problem in the Third Stage

ISRO chief V. Narayanan stated that the initial stages of the launch were normal, but a technical problem occurred in the third stage. During this time, the rocket's direction and speed were affected, preventing it from reaching its intended orbit and the mission's objectives.

Satellites to be Placed in a Sun-Synchronous Orbit of 512 km

PSLV-C62 was to place EOS-N1, also known as 'Anvesha', and 15 other satellites into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of approximately 512 kilometers. According to the plan, the rocket's fourth stage (PS4) was then to be reactivated and decelerated to allow it to be steered towards Earth in a controlled manner. However, this process could not proceed due to a malfunction in the third stage.

Second consecutive third stage problem

It is noteworthy that this is not the first time that the PSLV's third stage has experienced a technical problem. Previously, the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025 was also incomplete due to a malfunction in the same stage. That mission was to place the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite into orbit.

PSLV: ISRO's most reliable launch vehicle

The PSLV is considered one of ISRO's most reliable rockets. To date, it has completed more than 63 flights, including landmark missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1, and AstroSat. In 2017, the PSLV set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single flight.

What are the special features of the 'Anvesha' satellite?

Anvesha was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is a state-of-the-art intelligence satellite designed for precise surveillance and high-resolution mapping. Even at high altitudes, it is believed to be capable of detecting hidden activities in forests, bushes, or bunkers.

Ultra-Detailed Detection Using HRS Technology

Anvesha is based on 'Hyperspectral Remote Sensing' (HRS) technology. This technology captures light in hundreds of spectral bands, rather than just a few colors. This allows the identification of soil, vegetation, human activity, or hidden structures in an area based on their varying brightness.

The mission was considered crucial for the defense sector

Satellites equipped with HRS technology are used for military surveillance, monitoring border areas, tracking enemy movements, and creating 3D simulations for war-like situations. This is why Anvesha was considered crucial for the defense sector.

Anvesha is an upgraded version of HySIS.

India previously launched a hyperspectral satellite called HySIS in 2018, which operated in limited spectral bands. Anvesha is an advanced version of this satellite, believed to have a much greater spectral capacity. Currently, the United States, China, Japan, Germany, and several other countries have also launched satellites based on this technology.