India’s first space launch of 2026: PSLV-C62 lifts off today with EOS-N1 satellite, 14 co-passengers

The PSLV-C62 rocket, carrying an earth observation satellite along with 14 other co-passenger satellites into orbit, at the launch pad ahead of its launch, at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), in Sriharikota.

• PSLV-C62 to launch EOS-N1 and 14 satellites from Sriharikota on January 12
• EOS-N1 is an Earth observation satellite by Thailand and UK
• Mission will demonstrate advanced re-entry and de-boost manoeuvres

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India will open its 2026 space launch calendar today with the liftoff of PSLV-C62, which will place the EOS-N1 Earth Observation Satellite and multiple co-passenger payloads into orbit, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

The launch is scheduled for 10:17 am IST from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) in Sriharikota. The mission marks the 64th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and ISRO’s first orbital launch of the year.

“The integration of the launch vehicle and satellites has been completed and pre-launch checks are in progress. The PSLV-C62 mission is proposed to lift off at 10:17 hours on January 12,” ISRO said in a statement.

A 25-hour countdown, which began on Saturday, is currently underway.

The primary payload, EOS-N1, is an Earth observation satellite jointly developed by Thailand and the United Kingdom. It will be injected into a polar sun-synchronous orbit, enabling consistent Earth imaging.

In addition to EOS-N1, the mission will carry 14 co-passenger satellites belonging to domestic and international customers. The launch is being executed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm.

ISRO said EOS-N1 and 13 co-passenger satellites will be deployed into their intended orbit about 17 minutes after liftoff.

The mission will continue for over two hours to demonstrate advanced capabilities. Scientists will restart the fourth stage (PS4) of the rocket to conduct a controlled de-boost manoeuvre, following which the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) capsule, developed by a Spanish startup, will be separated.

“The PS4 stage will be re-ignited to enable a re-entry trajectory, after which the KID capsule will separate. Both are expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and splash down in the South Pacific Ocean,” ISRO said.

Ahead of the launch, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan visited the Tirupati temple on Saturday to offer prayers for the mission’s success.

“On January 12, we are going to launch PSLV-C62 carrying the EOS-N1 satellite. The target orbit for the mission is a polar sun-synchronous orbit,” Narayanan told reporters.

He added that the mission would take the total number of foreign satellites launched from Indian soil to 442.

PSLV has completed 63 missions so far and has launched several landmark spacecraft, including Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and Aditya-L1.

Highlighting its reliability, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium Director BR Guruprasad said, “This is one of the most reliable launch vehicles in the world and continues to play a key role in India’s space programme.”