ISRO's PSLV-C62 Mission Encounters Anomaly | The GPM

ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission, launched on January 12, 2026, from Sriharikota, faced an anomaly at the end of its PS3 stage. The space agency confirmed this issue via an official X post, stating a detailed analysis is underway. This marked India's first orbital launch of the year.

Mission Overview

The PSLV-C62 rocket, a reliable four-stage vehicle standing 44.4 meters tall, lifted off at 10:18 AM IST. It carried the primary Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-N1, also called Anvesha) and around 14-15 co-passenger satellites into a planned 511-512 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The mission fell under NewSpace India Ltd's (NSIL) ninth commercial launch contract.

Anomaly Details

The first two stages performed nominally, but disturbances emerged near the PS3 stage's end. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan noted increased vehicle instability, leading to a flight path deviation. The PS3, a solid rocket motor (S7), ignited post-second stage to boost altitude in near-vacuum conditions.

ISRO's Response

Narayanan addressed the Mission Control Centre, confirming data analysis is in progress with updates promised soon. ISRO's X statement reiterated the PS3 anomaly without specifying satellite orbit status. No immediate failure declaration was made, focusing instead on root cause investigation.

Context and Implications

As PSLV's 62nd flight, this event highlights challenges in solid-stage transitions despite the vehicle's storied success. Outcomes for payloads remain unclear pending analysis, potentially affecting commercial clients. ISRO's track record suggests rapid resolution and transparency.