Sriharikota, India – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to commence its launch schedule for 2026 with the PSLV-C62 mission, scheduled for liftoff tomorrow, January 12, at 10:17 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission will deploy the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite, also known as 'Anvesha', along with 18 other satellites.
EOS-N1, the primary payload, is an advanced hyperspectral imaging satellite developed primarily for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This "eye in the sky" will significantly enhance India's surveillance capabilities. The satellite is equipped to "see" in hundreds of wavelengths, enabling it to identify materials on the ground with high precision. This capability is a high-priority asset for national security, border surveillance, and various applications, including agriculture, urban mapping, and environmental observation.
The PSLV-C62 mission marks the 64th flight of ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV-C62 is a DL variant, utilizing two solid strap-on motors to provide additional thrust during the initial ascent. The rocket stands 44.4 meters tall, with a diameter of 3.2 meters, and weighs 320 tonnes at liftoff. It generates a massive thrust of 5,867 kilonewtons. The PSLV has a success rate of over 95% since 1993.
In addition to EOS-N1, the PSLV-C62 will carry 18 secondary payloads, including a European demonstrator satellite, and satellites from Indian and foreign agencies. These include cubesats from Indian startups and universities such as AayulSAT by OrbitAID, CGUSAT-1 by CV Raman Global University, DA-1 by Dhruva Space, SR-2 by Space Kidz India, Lachit-1 by Assam Don Bosco University, Solaras-S4 by Akshath Aerospace, and DSAT-1 by Dayanand Sagar University.
Notably, Bengaluru-based OrbitAID Aerospace's AayulSAT is India's first on-orbit satellite refueling payload, aiming to extend satellite lifespans by enabling in-space refueling and servicing, addressing space debris and sustainability challenges. The Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID) mission, in collaboration with a Spanish startup, features an experimental re-entry of a small capsule with a planned splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean, paving the way for low-cost recovery systems. Another satellite, MOI-1, built by Hyderabad-based TakeMe2Space (TM2Space) and EON Space, is capable of imaging the Earth through AI data processing and demonstrating next-generation edge computing in orbit.
The launch is particularly significant as it comes after a setback with the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025, which failed due to a technical issue in the rocket's third stage. ISRO scientists, led by Chairman Dr. V Narayanan, sought blessings at the Tirumala temple for the mission's success. The PSLV-C62 mission is the 9th dedicated commercial mission undertaken by NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL).
