16 satellites lost in space: What went wrong with Isro's PSLV-C62 launch

The primary payload - DRDO's strategic surveillance satellite Anvesha - along with 15 additional satellites, is now believed to be lost

• PSLV-C62 mission failed due to a third stage malfunction, satellites lost
• DRDO's Anvesha and 15 other satellites expected to re-enter and disintegrate
• ISRO launches investigation; PSLV grounded, 2026 launch schedule uncertain

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India's first space launch of 2026 suffered a major blow on Monday, January 12, after the PSLV-C62 mission failed due to a critical technical malfunction. The rocket lifted off smoothly from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 10:18 am IST, but around eight minutes into the flight, an anomaly developed in the third stage, forcing the vehicle off its planned trajectory.

Providing a post-flight briefing, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said the mission could not be completed after the third stage (PS3) failed to deliver the required thrust. While the initial phases of the launch performed as expected, an unexpected drop in chamber pressure led to a deviation in the flight path, preventing the satellites from being injected into orbit.

Commenting on the setback, former ISRO scientist Manish Purohit, speaking to India Today, said failures are an inherent part of space missions. He noted that the Failure Analysis Committee will examine all telemetry data and replicate load conditions on the flex nozzle to determine the exact cause of the malfunction.

The primary payload - DRDO's strategic surveillance satellite Anvesha - along with 15 additional satellites, is now believed to be lost. The incident marks the second consecutive failure involving the PSLV's third stage, following a similar issue in May 2025.

For the initial few minutes, the mission progressed flawlessly, with the rocket clearing the launch pad and shedding its boosters precisely on schedule. However, during PS3 operation, telemetry indicated a growing deviation. The launch vehicle began rolling unexpectedly, a condition that, at orbital speeds nearing 8,000 kmph, can quickly destabilise a mission.

Preliminary assessments point to a chamber pressure drop - a fault similar to the one that caused the failure of PSLV-C61. Insufficient pressure meant the engine could not generate the thrust required to achieve orbital velocity.

The loss is particularly significant given the nature of the payloads. Anvesha was designed to provide advanced surveillance capability for the DRDO, capable of detecting military camouflage from an altitude of about 500 km. The mission also carried AayulSAT, an experimental satellite intended to demonstrate in-orbit refuelling technology. These satellites are now expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and disintegrate.

Narayanan said ISRO has initiated a comprehensive investigation to identify the root cause and ensure corrective measures. With the PSLV temporarily grounded, the back-to-back PS3 failures have cast uncertainty over India's space launch schedule for 2026, as the agency works to restore confidence in its workhorse launch vehicle.