PSLV-C62 Anomaly: Setback for India’s Regional Space Ambitions

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a significant operational hurdle on 12 January 2026, as its first mission of the year, PSLV-C62, encountered a critical anomaly during its ascent. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), often lauded as the dependable workhorse of the Indian space programme, suffered a performance deviation in its third stage (PS3), leading to the loss of all 16 onboard satellites. This incident marks the second consecutive failure for the PSLV platform following a similar setback in May 2025, a trend that is likely to invite intense scrutiny from international insurers and regional defence partners.

​Lifting off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 10:18 IST, the 44.4-metre rocket initially appeared to follow its planned trajectory. However, approximately ten minutes into the flight, telemetry data indicated a roll rate disturbance and a subsequent drop in motor pressure within the solid-fuel third stage. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that while the first and second stages performed nominally, the deviation in the flight path prevented the vehicle from reaching the required orbital velocity. Consequently, the primary payload and several international co-passengers failed to reach their intended sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 511 kilometres.

​According to reports from Livemint, The Hindu, and India Today, the failure resulted in the total loss of the EOS-N1 satellite, also known as Anvesha. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Anvesha was a sophisticated hyperspectral imaging platform designed for strategic surveillance, border monitoring, and material identification. The mission was a dedicated commercial undertaking by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, which has been aggressively marketing the PSLV to global customers. The loss includes payloads from startups and institutions across Spain, Brazil, and Nepal, as well as a pioneering on-orbit refuelling demonstrator from an Indian firm.

​Strategic Impact on Asia-Pacific Surveillance

​The failure of the Anvesha satellite is a notable blow to India’s efforts to bolster its space-based ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities. In a region where maritime security and border monitoring are increasingly contested, the loss of hyperspectral imaging technology—capable of peering through camouflage and identifying specific materials from orbit—delays the Indian Ministry of Defence’s plans for enhanced situational awareness. For the wider Asia-Pacific, where nations are rapidly expanding their independent space architectures, this second consecutive failure of a matured launch system may prompt regional partners to reassess the risk profiles of Indian-led commercial and strategic launches.

​Commercial Fallout and Insurance Volatility

​From a commercial perspective, the PSLV-C62 mission was intended to demonstrate India’s reliability in the high-cadence rideshare market. With the loss of 16 satellites, the economic impact extends beyond the immediate hardware costs, which are often valued in the tens of millions of dollars (approx. US$30 million to US$50 million for similar multi-payload missions). International analysts suggest that insurance premiums for PSLV launches, which were previously competitive, may see a sharp increase. This fiscal pressure comes at a time when ISRO is facing stiff competition from private launch providers in the United States and emerging regional competitors in China and South Korea.

​Investigating the Third-Stage Ghost

​The technical focus of the upcoming Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) will undoubtedly centre on the PS3 solid motor. Preliminary data suggests a drop in chamber pressure, a haunting echo of the PSLV-C61 failure eight months prior. If the root cause is identified as a systemic manufacturing or quality assurance issue rather than a one-off component failure, it could necessitate a broader pause in India’s 2026 launch calendar. For an organisation aiming to support major upcoming milestones like the Gaganyaan crewed mission, restoring the flight integrity of its core launch vehicle is now an absolute priority for maintaining its standing in the international aerospace community.