After facing a rare setback in May 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is ready to return to the launch pad with renewed confidence. The space agency has announced its next satellite mission, PSLV-C62, scheduled for launch on January 12, 2026, marking a crucial comeback for India’s most trusted launch vehicle.
PSLV-C61 Failure: What Happened on May 18, 2025?
ISRO’s 101st mission, PSLV-C61, was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, with the goal of placing the Earth observation satellite EOS-09 into orbit. However, the mission could not be completed due to an anomaly during the third stage of the launch.
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan explained that the rocket performed normally up to the second stage. The third-stage motor ignited successfully, but a drop in chamber pressure was observed during its operation, leading to mission failure.
“The PSLV is a four-stage vehicle. Up to the second stage, performance was normal. During the functioning of the third stage, we observed a fall in motor chamber pressure, and the mission could not be accomplished,” Narayanan said.
ISRO confirmed that a detailed failure analysis and performance review were initiated immediately to identify the root cause.
PSLV Failures Are Extremely Rare
The PSLV-C61 mission marked only the third failure in the rocket’s long operational history since its first flight in 1993. Out of 63 PSLV missions, the only previous setbacks were:
PSLV-D1 (1993) – the maiden flight
PSLV-C39 (2017) – caused by a faulty heat shield that prevented satellite separation
The C61 mission was also the 27th flight of the PSLV-XL configuration, which is designed for heavier payloads.
PSLV: ISRO’s Proven Workhorse
Known as the “workhorse launch vehicle of ISRO,” PSLV has played a pivotal role in India’s space achievements. It has successfully launched landmark missions such as:
Chandrayaan-1
Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan)
Aditya-L1
AstroSat
In 2017, PSLV created global history by launching 104 satellites in a single mission, a world record at the time.
PSLV-C62 Mission: ISRO’s Comeback Launch
Learning from the C61 setback, ISRO has completed the vehicle and satellite integration for the upcoming PSLV-C62 mission. Pre-launch checks are currently underway.
The mission is scheduled to lift off on January 12, 2026, at 10:17 AM IST, from the First Launch Pad at Sriharikota. The PSLV-C62 mission will carry a cluster of satellites, including payloads from Indian startups and academic institutions, reinforcing ISRO’s commitment to fostering space innovation.
ISRO’s Philosophy: Learning From Failure
ISRO has consistently demonstrated resilience, often emerging stronger after technical challenges. Officials have emphasized that failures provide valuable insights, helping improve mission reliability and future designs.
With PSLV-C62, ISRO aims not just to return to flight but to reaffirm confidence in India’s most dependable launch system and inspire a new generation of space enthusiasts.
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