India's PSLV-C62 rocket fails mid-flight, losing key Earth observation satellite
India's PSLV-C62 rocket fails mid-flight, losing key Earth observation satellite
India's PSLV-C62 rocket fails mid-flight, losing key Earth observation satellite
India's space programme has faced another setback after the recent failure of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62). The mission, which lifted off on January 12, 2023, ended in disaster when the rocket malfunctioned mid-flight. The incident marks the second major PSLV failure in less than two years, raising concerns about future launches.
The PSLV-C62 mission suffered a critical failure during ascent. A disturbance in the vehicle's roll rates and an unexpected deviation in its flight path occurred while the third stage was burning. This led to the loss of the primary payload, the Earth observation satellite EOS-N1, along with 15 smaller co-passenger spacecraft. EOS-N1 was designed for hyperspectral imaging, with applications in military and strategic monitoring.
The failed launch also resulted in the loss of several international and commercial satellites. Among them were Theos-2, a UK-built satellite from SSTL, payloads from Indian firm Dhruva Space, a diplomatic satellite developed in collaboration with Nepal, and five satellites from Brazilian company AlltoSpace. Additionally, the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID), a project by Spanish startup Orbital Paradigm, was destroyed in the incident.
This latest failure follows a previous PSLV mission on May 17, 2025, which also ended in disaster due to an anomaly in the solid propellant third stage. Since that mission, no successful PSLV launches have taken place, and the upcoming PSLV-C63 and PSLV-N1 missions may now face delays. Meanwhile, the third stage from the January 2023 failure re-entered the atmosphere and crashed into the Indian Ocean, according to spaceflight tracker Jonathan McDowell.
Despite these setbacks, India continues to push forward with its space ambitions. The country's first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, carrying the humanoid robot Vyommitra, remains scheduled for 2026 on the HLVM3-G1 launcher.
The repeated failures of the PSLV have disrupted India's satellite deployment plans and may impact future missions. With no successful PSLV launches since May 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) now faces pressure to address technical issues before proceeding with upcoming flights. The loss of multiple high-value satellites, including those with international partnerships, adds to the urgency of resolving these challenges.