ISRO has reaffirmed its confidence in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) ahead of the PSLV-C62 mission scheduled for January 12, 2026. The mission will launch the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The upcoming flight comes just eight months after the setback faced by PSLV-C61 in May 2025 — the rocket’s third failure in 63 missions. Despite the mishap, the space agency is returning to its trusted “workhorse” launcher, underlining PSLV’s long-standing reputation for reliability and operational flexibility.
The C61 mission lifted off on May 18, 2025, but ran into trouble about eight minutes into the flight when a sudden drop in third-stage chamber pressure was detected. The anomaly resulted in the EOS-09 radar imaging satellite being placed in an unusable orbit. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan later said the issue stemmed from a propulsion-related problem in the solid-fuel stage. While a detailed Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report is yet to be made public, the episode sparked renewed debate on transparency.
Following the failure, ISRO temporarily grounded the PSLV fleet and carried out extensive reviews. The agency implemented multiple corrective measures, including improved nozzle control systems and structural reinforcements to the motor casing, before clearing the C62 mission for launch.
Why PSLV still matters
First launched in 1993, PSLV has grown into the backbone of India’s space programme. By May 2025, it had completed 62 missions with a success rate of around 94–95 per cent, placing more than 350 satellites into orbit. Its missions include landmark projects such as Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, and the record-setting PSLV-C37 flight that deployed 104 satellites in a single launch.
PSLV’s four-stage design — using a combination of solid and liquid propulsion — allows for high precision, particularly for Sun-synchronous polar orbits. It can carry payloads of up to 1,750 kg to a 600-km orbit, making it ideal for Earth observation satellites and smallsat missions.
Variants such as PSLV-XL and PSLV-DL offer added flexibility in payload capacity. With launch costs estimated at Rs 250–300 crore, PSLV remains significantly cheaper than heavier launch vehicles like the GSLV, which are used for geostationary missions. This cost-effectiveness has helped ISRO secure international launch contracts and support the development of heavier vehicles such as LVM3, while also bridging the transition to reusable launch technologies.
PSLV has faced challenges in the past — including its maiden D1 failure in 1993 and the C39 mission in 2017, which failed due to a heat-shield separation issue. Both incidents led to design upgrades, after which the rocket went on to log 58 consecutive successful missions. Experts often point out that PSLV’s modular architecture allows engineers to isolate and fix anomalies quickly, reducing downtime compared to more complex launch systems.
The road ahead
The PSLV-C62 mission, carrying the EOS-Anvesha satellite for maritime surveillance, will serve as a key test of the corrective measures introduced after the C61 failure. The mission is being closely watched, given PSLV’s crucial role in sustaining India’s expanding Earth observation and NavIC satellite constellations.
In addition to the primary payload, the 62nd PSLV mission will deploy a mix of Indian and international co-passenger satellites. These include payloads focused on Earth observation, in-orbit technology demonstrations, artificial intelligence processing in space, IoT applications, academic research and experimental systems.
Together, they underline PSLV’s continued relevance as a dependable platform for commercial launches, scientific missions and student-led innovation from across the world.
As ISRO works on maturing the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and developing a next-generation launch system, PSLV continues to hold its ground as the agency’s most trusted launcher — one whose long track record outweighs occasional setbacks in a programme built around failure-tolerant engineering.