ISRO's PSLV-C62 Mission Fails Due to Third Stage Issue: Understanding the Setback and Its Impact on India's Space Goals

Why in News

India's first space mission of 2026 ended in failure when the PSLV-C62 rocket, launched from Sriharikota, deviated from its path due to a problem in the third stage. This led to the loss of 16 satellites, including the main earth observation satellite and international payloads, raising concerns about the reliability of ISRO's workhorse rocket just months after a similar failure in 2025.

Key Points

1. The PSLV-C62 rocket lifted off at 10:17 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, carrying the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) earth observation satellite as the primary payload.
2. It also had 15 co-passenger satellites, including eight from foreign countries like Thailand-UK (Theos-2), Brazil, Nepal, and a Spanish startup's re-entry capsule, plus Indian technology demos like AayulSAT for in-orbit refuelling.
3. About nine minutes after launch, during the third stage's coasting phase, the rocket showed a roll rate disturbance and a drop in chamber pressure, causing it to deviate from its trajectory.
4. All payloads were lost as the rocket failed to reach the intended sun-synchronous orbit at around 500 km altitude, with satellites expected to re-enter and burn up in the atmosphere.
5. This is the second consecutive PSLV failure, following PSLV-C61 in May 2025, which also had a third-stage pressure drop issue.
6. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan confirmed the anomaly and said a Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) has been set up to investigate, with the PSLV temporarily grounded.
7. The PSLV has now failed five times in 65 missions, marking the first back-to-back failures in its 30-year history.
8. The failure impacts commercial prospects, as ISRO promotes PSLV through NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), potentially raising insurance costs and delaying future launches.
9. Some payloads had national security links, like the DRDO-built Anvesha for surveillance, adding to the strategic concerns.
10. Hyderabad-based space startups faced a setback, as their experimental satellites were among those lost.

Explained

What is the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and How Does It Work?

PSLV Basics: The PSLV is ISRO's most reliable rocket, known as the 'workhorse' of India's space program, used for launching satellites into low Earth orbits like sun-synchronous paths for earth observation.

Structure and Stages: It has four stages—two solid fuel (PS1 and PS3) and two liquid fuel (PS2 and PS4)—with optional strap-on boosters; the third stage (PS3) is a solid motor that provides thrust after the first two stages separate.

Role in India's Space Missions: Since its first launch in 1993, PSLV has completed 60 successful missions out of 65, supporting key programs like remote sensing, navigation, and commercial launches for countries like the US and Europe.

Significance for India: It helps in self-reliance by placing satellites for weather monitoring, disaster management, and defense, aligning with goals like Gaganyaan human spaceflight.

What Happened During the PSLV-C62 Mission Launch?

Launch Details: The rocket took off smoothly at 10:17 am on January 12, 2026, from Sriharikota's First Launch Pad, aiming for a 500 km orbit.

Anomaly Timeline: The first and second stages worked fine, but around 378-425 seconds (about 9 minutes) into the flight, during PS3's coasting phase (a pause between engine burns), a roll rate disturbance occurred.

Technical Issue: Telemetry showed a sudden drop in chamber pressure in PS3, leading to low thrust, uncontrolled rolling, and path deviation; the live broadcast stopped abruptly.

Outcome: The rocket couldn't achieve orbital speed, causing all 16 satellites to be lost, with no recovery possible as they will burn up on re-entry.

What Caused the Failure and How Does It Relate to the Previous One?

Immediate Cause: A breach or failure in PS3's nozzle or casing likely caused gas leakage, reducing pressure and creating torque that led to rolling; PS3 lacks separate roll control, relying on the fourth stage.

Link to PSLV-C61: In May 2025, PSLV-C61 failed similarly due to a PS3 pressure drop, suspected to be from material flaws or insulation issues; ISRO reinforced designs but didn't release the full FAC report publicly.

Possible Root Problems: Experts point to quality control lapses in manufacturing, supply chain issues, or design fatigue in the mature PS3 motor, not fundamental flaws.

Investigation Process: ISRO forms an FAC to analyze data, test components like the flex nozzle, and simulate conditions; the fleet is grounded until fixes are verified.

What is the Background of PSLV Failures and ISRO's Track Record?

Historical Failures: PSLV's first failure was in 1993 (partial), then 1997, 2017 (heat shield issue), 2025 (C61), and now 2026 (C62); most involved upper stages or separation problems.

ISRO's Overall Success: ISRO has launched over 300 satellites, with successes like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1, but recent failures (five since 2017) often involve security-related payloads.

Shift in Approach: Under current leadership, ISRO has become less transparent, classifying reports to avoid commercial harm, unlike earlier public disclosures.

Commercial Push: Through NSIL, ISRO aims to privatize 50% of PSLV production, but failures could increase costs and delay this.

What Are the Implications of This Failure for India's Space Program?

Scientific and Economic Loss: Loss of Anvesha (for surveillance and camouflage detection) delays earth observation capabilities; foreign payloads damage international trust and revenue (PSLV earns from commercial launches).

Impact on Startups and Industry: Hyderabad startups lost experimental tech like refuelling demos, slowing India's private space sector growth under IN-SPACe.

Reliability Concerns: Back-to-back failures question PSLV's maturity, potentially raising insurance premiums and affecting global market share against competitors like SpaceX.

Strategic Setback: With payloads linked to DRDO, it affects national security; delays 2026 schedule, including planned LVM-3 missions.

Broader Lessons: Highlights need for better quality checks, public transparency in reports, and avoiding rushed launches for sensitive missions.

How Can ISRO Recover and What Reforms Are Needed?

Short-Term Steps: Ground PSLV, release C61 report, fix PS3 issues like nozzle reinforcements, and test thoroughly before resuming.

Long-Term Reforms: Improve supply chain audits, involve external experts in reviews, and balance commercialization with scientific openness.

Positive Outlook: ISRO's recent LVM-3 success shows strength; focusing on root causes can restore confidence for goals like space station by 2035.

Global Context: Space failures are common (e.g., NASA's Challenger), but learning transparently builds resilience.

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