PSLV-C62 Mission Fails to Achieve Intended Orbit

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s PSLV-C62 mission, carrying the EOS-N1 Earth Observation satellite, failed to complete its intended trajectory on 12 January 2026 after an anomaly was detected at the end of the third stage of the launch vehicle. ISRO has initiated a detailed technical analysis to identify the cause of the failure.

Mission Overview

After a 22.5-hour countdown, the PSLV-C62 lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
The mission carried:

• EOS-N1 Earth Observation satellite
• 15 co-passenger satellites, developed by startups and academic institutions from India and abroad

Second Consecutive Failure for PSLV

This marks the second consecutive failure of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which has been ISRO’s workhorse launch vehicle for over three decades.

• The previous failure (PSLV-C61, 2025) was attributed to an unexpected drop in combustion chamber pressure
• The exact cause of the January 12 failure is yet to be determined, though experts indicate it could be similar in nature

Critical Role of the Third Stage

Preliminary assessments point to issues during the third stage, a crucial phase of the mission.

• During this stage, the rocket must rapidly accelerate to achieve the velocity required to maintain Earth orbit
• A drop in combustion chamber pressure reduces thrust, preventing the rocket from attaining the necessary speed
• As a result, the vehicle may fail to sustain orbit and is pulled back by Earth’s gravity

About the PSLV Launch Vehicle

The PSLV is a four-stage rocket, with stages operating sequentially and getting discarded after completing their role:

• First Stage:
  • Uses solid propellant
  • Forms the largest and heaviest part of the rocket
• Second Stage:
  • Powered by the indigenously developed Vikas liquid engine
• Third Stage:
  • Uses solid fuel
  • Flight is almost horizontal
  • Responsible for rapid acceleration, making it technically challenging
• Fourth Stage:
  • Employs liquid propulsion
  • Used for precise orbital insertion

Source: IE