The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is facing scrutiny after the consecutive failures of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) missions. The most recent setback occurred on January 12, 2026, with the PSLV-C62 mission, which aimed to deploy the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite and 14 co-passenger satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit. This failure follows a similar incident in May 2025, when the PSLV-C61 mission also failed due to a malfunction in the third stage.

In the PSLV-C62 mission, the rocket experienced a technical anomaly during the third stage, leading to a deviation from its intended flight path. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed a "roll rate disturbance" during the third stage (PS3), which caused the rocket to spin unexpectedly. The mission was aborted, resulting in the loss of all 16 satellites. Similarly, the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025 faced a "drop in chamber pressure" in the third stage, preventing the satellite from reaching its intended orbit.

The repeated failures in the PSLV's third stage raise concerns about the reliability of what has historically been ISRO's most dependable launch vehicle. Prior to 2025, the PSLV had only experienced two failures. The PSLV has been instrumental in various high-profile missions, including Chandrayaan-1 and the Mars Orbiter Mission. The PSLV also set a world record in 2017 by launching 104 satellites in a single mission.

The third stage (PS3) is crucial for achieving the necessary velocity to maintain the rocket's trajectory around the Earth. The PS3 uses solid fuel, and any pressure drop in the combustion chamber can significantly reduce the force required for acceleration, leading to mission failure. According to The Hindu, the failure of the PSLV-C62 mission might be related to the previous failure, PSLV-C61, suspecting a breach in the nozzle throat or casing. A gas leak from the nozzle joint could have created a "pinwheel effect," causing the rocket to spin out of control.

ISRO has initiated a detailed analysis to determine the root cause of the PSLV-C62 failure. The space agency is also under scrutiny for not making public the Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report following the PSLV-C61 failure. According to The Hindu, concealing the investigation's results has prevented external checks and potentially led to a superficial fix.

These failures have significant implications for India's space program. The PSLV is vital for deploying satellites for communication, Earth observation, and scientific research. Moreover, these missions play a crucial role in national defense and security, where the timely deployment of operational satellites is paramount.

Former ISRO scientist Manish Purohit emphasized the importance of a swift and smart recovery, stating that setbacks are inherent in space endeavors. The agency's response and recovery strategies are being closely watched by stakeholders in the Indian aerospace sector, as these mission failures present a critical moment for ISRO to restore confidence and address the challenges in space technologies. The consecutive PSLV failures also highlight the challenges of budget constraints and technological limitations that the Indian space program faces.