ISRO PSLV C62 launch failure leaves a rare silence at Sriharikota

🔹Opening Paragraph

The ISRO PSLV C62 launch failure has halted India’s first space mission of 2026 midway, after the rocket failed to place its satellites into orbit following an in-flight anomaly.

What makes this moment significant is not just the loss of payloads, but the timing — coming months after an earlier PSLV setback, raising fresh questions today about reliability and review processes.

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A mission that began normally — and then didn’t

For the first few minutes, everything looked familiar.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle lifted off smoothly from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, its solid boosters cutting through the coastal air as mission control tracked a routine ascent.

Then came the deviation.

Telemetry data showed irregular performance during the third stage of flight — a phase that usually passes without drama. Within moments, engineers realised the vehicle would not reach its intended orbit. The ISRO PSLV C62 launch failure was confirmed soon after.

Sixteen satellites were lost.

No explosion.
No fiery visuals.
Just a quiet end to a mission expected to begin the year on a high. (ISRO PSLV C62 launch failure)

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What PSLV C62 was carrying — and why it mattered

PSLV C62 was not a symbolic launch. It was functional, strategic, and closely watched.

The primary payload was an Earth-observation satellite designed to support surveillance, mapping, and environmental monitoring. Several smaller satellites from Indian startups and research groups were also onboard, many representing years of funding, testing, and limited launch windows.

For these teams, the ISRO PSLV C62 launch failure is not just a headline — it is a reset.

Some payloads had no immediate backup launch. Others were technology demonstrators tied to specific orbital conditions that can’t be easily replicated.

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A workhorse under scrutiny

The PSLV has long been considered the most dependable rocket in India’s launch fleet.

With hundreds of satellites placed successfully over decades, it built a reputation for predictability — something rare in spaceflight.

That reputation is now being re-examined.

This failure follows an earlier PSLV mission that faced issues during its third stage as well. Two anomalies, both linked to the same phase of flight, have naturally sharpened attention within the space community.

Inside Indian Space Research Organisation, this is not being treated as routine.

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Timeline of what unfolded

• Liftoff occurred as scheduled, with first and second stages performing normally
• Data irregularities emerged during the third-stage burn
• The vehicle failed to achieve the velocity required for orbital insertion
• Satellites re-entered the atmosphere or were rendered non-functional
• Mission declared unsuccessful after telemetry review

There was no single dramatic moment — just a gradual realisation that the mission profile had slipped beyond recovery.

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Why the third stage matters so much

The third stage of PSLV is critical.

It is responsible for pushing the payload into precise orbit after atmospheric drag is no longer a factor. Any instability here — thrust variation, pressure mismatch, or guidance error — leaves little margin for correction.

Preliminary assessments indicate abnormal behaviour during this phase, though ISRO has not yet released a detailed root-cause explanation.

Engineers are now combing through sensor data, manufacturing records, and ground test logs.

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Impact beyond the launch pad

The ISRO PSLV C62 launch failure arrives at a sensitive moment for India’s space ambitions.

Private startups are increasingly dependent on ISRO launch schedules. Academic missions rely on shared rides. International confidence, though strong, is closely tied to consistency.

A failure doesn’t erase trust — but repetition invites questions.

Insurance premiums may rise.
Launch queues may slow.
Review cycles may lengthen.

All of this affects timelines far beyond a single mission.

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Quick Snapshot

• PSLV C62 failed to place satellites into orbit
• Third-stage anomaly identified during ascent
• 16 satellites lost, including strategic payloads
• Second PSLV setback within a year
• Failure analysis initiated immediately

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What Changed Today

Today’s update confirms that the satellites onboard PSLV C62 could not be salvaged.

ISRO officials have formally acknowledged the mission loss and initiated a failure review committee, marking a shift from preliminary observation to full investigation.

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Why This News Matters

India’s space program is entering a phase of higher cadence and global collaboration.

Reliability is not just technical — it is reputational.

The ISRO PSLV C62 launch failure influences:

• Commercial launch confidence
• Startup mission planning
• Strategic satellite deployment timelines
• International perception of India’s launch consistency

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Inside the industry reaction

Senior engineers point out that spaceflight failures, while rare for PSLV, are not unprecedented globally.

What matters now is response quality.

The speed and transparency of ISRO’s investigation will determine whether this moment becomes a temporary pause — or a longer recalibration.

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What Could Happen Next

• A detailed failure report is expected after data analysis
• Upcoming PSLV missions may be delayed for additional checks
• Design or quality-control updates could follow
• Alternative launch vehicles may temporarily take priority

ISRO’s broader mission calendar, including heavier launch vehicles, continues unchanged for now.