ISRO To Investigate PSLV-C62 Failure After Rocket Loses Control in Space

India's plans in space took a sharp hit when the PSLV-C62 mission failed after launch, destroying all 16 satellites on board. The 260-tonne PSLV-DL variant lifted off from Sriharikota at 10.17 am on January 12, 2026, and initially appeared stable, but the rocket later veered off course and missed its target orbit.

The launch, which also drew live attention across India, saw the PSLV-C62 vehicle performing as expected through its first and second stages, including separation. At 10:17 AM IST, it was still tracking normally, yet ground teams soon noticed silence from the third stage, and no orbit confirmation arrived for the waiting controllers.

PSLV-C62 mission anomaly during third stage and official response

Tension inside the control room increased once third-stage ignition passed without regular telemetry updates, signalling an orbit insertion failure similar to the PSLV-C61 setback in 2025. Isro chief V Narayanan later stated, "The performance of the vehicle at the end of the third stage was nominal, and then a disturbance in roll rates and a deviation in flight path was noticed. We are analysing the data, and we will come back with more updates," confirming that investigators were examining detailed logs.

The PSLV-C62 rocket carried DRDO's EOS-N1 (Anvesha) as the main maritime surveillance satellite, supported by 15 co-passenger payloads. These included Indian student-built satellites, experiments from private companies, and Spain's KID re-entry demonstrator, all bound for a planned 505 km sun-synchronous orbit that would have supported both research and commercial observation projects.

PSLV-C62 mission launch profile and technical issues

The vehicle completed solid booster separation without any visible issues, maintaining a clean ascent for almost eight minutes after liftoff. Around that point, however, an anomaly in the third stage halted further progress, echoing the PSLV-C61 incident where a chamber pressure drop doomed the EOS-09 satellite and cut short what was expected to be a routine mission.

Isro later confirmed that PSLV-C62 deviated from its intended trajectory, which automatically triggered internal procedures for a Failure Analysis Committee investigation. The immediate cause of the anomaly was not disclosed, but engineers are now expected to scrutinise solid-fuel motor performance, nozzle behaviour, and casing integrity, particularly because several launches were booked close together in the 2026 schedule.

The PSLV-C62 loss became PSLV's second failure in eight months, a rare blemish on a launcher with a 94% success record across 63 earlier flights. Those missions previously placed key spacecraft such as Chandrayaan-1 and Aditya-L1 into their orbits, helping build confidence among domestic and overseas customers who depend on consistent performance.

Questions about openness had already followed PSLV-C61, as its report was not fully released, and the repeat issue in the PSLV-C62 mission may deepen worries about information sharing. Commercial rideshare launches arranged through NSIL could now face hesitation from partners, affecting India's private space sector, which relies on reliable access to orbit and steady schedules.

The PSLV-C62 mission failure also weighs on Isro's wider 2026 goals, which include plans for more than 100 satellites, further NavIC expansion, and preparations for Gaganyaan, all while private competitors speed up globally. PSLV's modular design is expected to help engineers design quicker fixes, yet continued opacity could invite parliamentary scrutiny similar to debates in 2025.

The PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly during end of the PS3 stage. A detailed analysis has been initiated.— ISRO (@isro) January 12, 2026.

Chairman V. Narayanan and the Isro team now aim for a swift recovery, considering LVM3 options for future payloads while keeping self-reliance as a central aim. With the global space industry watching India's response, the handling of PSLV-C62 data, technical solutions, and launch timelines will shape how partners judge the country's resilience and reliability.