India's space program suffered a significant setback on January 12, 2026, as the PSLV-C62 mission failed to reach its intended orbit, resulting in the loss of the DRDO's "super-eye" satellite, Anvesha (EOS-N1), and 15 co-passenger satellites. The mission, launched from Sriharikota, encountered a critical anomaly during the third stage of the launch vehicle, causing it to deviate from its planned flight path.

The PSLV-C62's failure marks the second consecutive unsuccessful mission for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) series, a workhorse of India's space program, following a similar issue with the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025. This has raised concerns about quality assurance and the reliability of the PSLV, which has historically completed 63 successful missions, including high-profile launches like Chandrayaan-1 and the Mars Orbiter Mission.

According to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, the vehicle performed nominally during the first two stages, but "increased disturbances" and a deviation in roll rates were observed towards the end of the third stage. This anomaly prevented the rocket from achieving the required velocity for orbital injection, and the satellite injection sequence could not be completed as planned. Preliminary data suggests a drop in chamber pressure in the third stage, which is similar to the mechanical glitch that occurred during the PSLV-C61 mission.

The primary payload of the PSLV-C62 mission was the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) satellite, a strategic hyperspectral imaging satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Anvesha, designed to "see" in hundreds of wavelengths, was intended to enhance India's surveillance capabilities, national security, border monitoring, and strategic mapping. It also had potential civilian applications in agriculture, urban planning, and environmental observation. The loss of Anvesha is a significant blow to India's security agencies.

In addition to Anvesha, the PSLV-C62 was carrying 15 co-passenger satellites developed by startups, academia, and companies from India and abroad. These satellites possessed disruptive technologies that could have brought revolutionary changes to the space sector. One of the satellites lost was AayulSAT, India's first attempt at creating an orbital petrol pump to refuel satellites in space. The mission was a commercial endeavor organized by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

ISRO has initiated a detailed analysis to determine the root cause of the anomaly. A Failure Analysis Committee has been formed to investigate the issue, examining telemetry data and the flex nozzle under similar load conditions. The agency is also reviewing the PSLV-C61 failure and the corrective measures implemented before the PSLV-C62 launch. The full report may not be made public due to the sensitive nature of the payload and potential commercial implications.

The financial burden of the failed mission will be shared between the state funding and insurance claims, depending on the nature of the satellites. The direct financial loss of the EOS-N1 satellite will likely be borne by the state, and the DRDO may need to seek fresh budgetary approval to build a replacement.

This second consecutive failure raises concerns about the reliability of the PSLV and could potentially impact India's reputation in the global commercial space market. The incident stalls the momentum of the domestic private sector and represents a significant financial hit. ISRO aims to identify the cause of the failure and ensure that the PSLV returns stronger, but the incident casts a shadow over India's 2026 space calendar.