ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission fails to reach intended orbit, payloads lost.
The PSLV's journey began in the early 1990s as India sought to achieve self-reliance in launching its own satellites, particularly for remote sensing and communication. Prior to the PSLV, India relied on foreign launchers or its own less capable SLV and ASLV rockets. The PSLV was conceived as a versatile, reliable, and cost-effective launch vehicle capable of placing satellites into various orbits, including polar and geostationary transfer orbits. Its development involved significant technological advancements, including the use of liquid-fueled stages and solid rocket boosters. The first successful launch of the PSLV took place in 1994, marking a turning point in India's space program. Over the years, the PSLV has undergone several upgrades and improvements, enhancing its payload capacity and reliability. It has become a workhorse for ISRO, launching numerous Indian and foreign satellites and contributing significantly to India's space capabilities.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) experienced a setback as its PSLV-C62 mission, the first of the year, failed to reach its intended orbit due to an anomaly during the third stage (PS3) of the vehicle. The rocket was carrying EOS-N1, an earth observation satellite, along with 15 other payloads, including seven from Brazil and Nepal. All payloads were lost. This marks the second successive failure for a PSLV rocket since its last flight in May 2025.
Mission: PSLV-C62
Failure: Reached unintended orbit
Payload: EOS-N1 and 15 others
In recent years, ISRO has been focusing on developing newer launch vehicles like the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to cater to the growing demand for launching small satellites. The SSLV aims to provide a cost-effective and flexible launch solution for the small satellite market. ISRO is also working on the Next-Gen Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which is intended to replace the PSLV in the long term. The NGLV will incorporate advanced technologies and offer higher payload capacity. Furthermore, ISRO is exploring reusable launch vehicle technologies to reduce launch costs and improve access to space. The focus is on enhancing the reliability and efficiency of launch operations while also expanding India's capabilities in the global space market. The recent failure highlights the need for continuous improvement and rigorous testing in space technology.
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