The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced today the failure of its latest mission to place an advanced Earth observation satellite and 15 other small spacecraft into their designated orbits. This announcement came after the launch vehicle experienced a sudden technical malfunction that prevented the mission from being successfully completed.
Details of the technical glitch in the PSLV-C62 mission
The organization explained in an official statement published on its digital channels that the PSLV-C62 rocket experienced a performance deviation and a lack of the required speed at the end of its third-stage launch phase. Despite a smooth initial launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Sriharikota Island (southeast India) at 10:18 AM local time, preliminary data indicated instability in the rocket during the critical phase before reaching orbit, resulting in the loss of the payload.
History of the PSLV missile and its strategic importance
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is considered the workhorse of India's space program, relied upon primarily for vital and commercial missions. This latest launch, its 64th flight, carried high hopes for enhancing India's Earth observation capabilities. Historically, this model boasts a proven track record of success, establishing India as a major player on the global space map and a strong competitor in terms of both cost and efficiency. However, this failure serves as a reminder of the complex technical challenges inherent in space exploration.
The importance of Earth observation satellites and the impact of their failure
The satellite lost in this mission holds immense strategic and developmental importance. Earth observation is a cornerstone of modern planning, as these satellites provide precise data used for:
- Agriculture and Water Resources Management: Crop Monitoring and Drought Forecasting.
- Disaster management: Early monitoring of hurricanes and floods to reduce human and material losses.
- National security: Monitoring borders and geographical movements with high precision.
Therefore, the loss of this satellite could cause a temporary gap in the flow of up-to-date data upon which various Indian institutions depend.
Implications for the commercial space market
In addition to the main satellite, the mission carried 15 smaller spacecraft, some likely belonging to international clients or research institutions, highlighting India's growing role in the commercial satellite launch market. This setback may necessitate thorough technical reviews to reassure international partners and insurers about the reliability of future launches, especially as this is the second time this model has encountered technical problems, following a previous incident in May 2025 that also involved the third-stage engines.
Expert teams at the Indian Space Research Organisation are currently analyzing telemetry data to accurately determine the root cause of the malfunction, to ensure it is not repeated in future missions and to restore momentum to the ambitious national space program.
