What's Happening?
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) experienced a significant setback when its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission, designated PSLV-C62, failed shortly after launch. The mission, which took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center,
was intended to deploy the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite along with 15 other satellites for both domestic and international clients. However, the launch vehicle lost altitude six minutes post-liftoff due to a failure in its third stage, resulting in the loss of all satellites on board. This incident marks the second consecutive failure involving the PSLV's third stage, following a similar issue in May 2025. The PSLV has a long history of successful missions since its introduction in 1993, having completed 62 missions prior to these recent failures.
Why It's Important?
The failure of the PSLV-C62 mission has significant implications for ISRO and its commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited, as it affects their reputation and reliability in the global satellite launch market. The loss of the EOS-N1 satellite and other payloads, including the Theos-2 satellite developed in collaboration with Thailand, and satellites for companies in India, Nepal, and Brazil, represents a setback for these stakeholders. This incident could lead to increased scrutiny and pressure on ISRO to address the technical issues with the PSLV's third stage. Additionally, it may impact future contracts and collaborations with international partners who rely on ISRO for satellite launches.
What's Next?
ISRO is currently analyzing the data from the failed launch to determine the exact cause of the third-stage failure. The organization will likely focus on rectifying the technical issues to prevent future failures and restore confidence in the PSLV's reliability. This analysis and subsequent corrective measures will be crucial for ISRO to maintain its position in the competitive satellite launch industry. Stakeholders, including international clients and partners, will be closely monitoring ISRO's response and the outcomes of their investigations.
