Photo by Danish Prakash on Unsplash
🚀 The PSLV-C62 Launch: Expectations and the Unexpected Turn
India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), kicked off 2026 with high hopes for its first mission of the year. On January 12, the PSLV-C62 rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, carrying the primary Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-N1) along with 15 co-passenger satellites. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), long considered ISRO's reliable workhorse, was tasked with deploying these payloads into a Sun Synchronous Orbit, a specific path around Earth ideal for consistent lighting conditions in Earth imaging.
The mission began smoothly. Liftoff occurred at 10:18:30 IST, with the four-stage rocket's first two stages performing as planned. Spectators and live streams captured the fiery ascent, symbolizing India's growing prowess in space. However, just as the third stage (PS3) reached its end, an anomaly struck. ISRO officials reported a deviation, preventing the rocket from achieving the intended orbit. This led to the loss of most satellites, marking a significant ISRO PSLV setback.
For context, the PSLV-DL variant used here stands 44.4 meters tall with a lift-off mass of 260 tonnes. It has successfully flown 63 times prior, earning its reputation for precision in deploying satellites for remote sensing, navigation, and scientific research. This failure, the second consecutive for PSLV after a similar issue in May 2025, has ignited widespread discussions on the India space program future.
🔍 Unraveling the Technical Failure
The core issue lay in the PS3 stage, powered by a liquid propellant engine using unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4). According to ISRO's official statement on X, the anomaly occurred at the end of this stage, causing the rocket to deviate from its trajectory. Detailed analysis is underway, but preliminary reports from sources like The Times of India point to a possible sensor malfunction or pressure irregularity, echoing the 2025 PSLV-C61 failure.
In rocket terminology, stages separate sequentially to shed mass and increase speed. The PS3 stage is crucial for fine-tuning the orbit after the solid-fuel boosters and second stage. A deviation here meant the upper stages couldn't correct the path, dooming the payloads to incorrect orbits or re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. One outlier, the KID capsule, partially succeeded by sending back useful data before re-entry, as noted in Hindustan Times coverage.
- Stage 1: Four PS0M-XL solid strap-ons ignited at liftoff.
- Stage 2: Vikas engine for high-thrust push.
- Stage 3 (PS3): Liquid engine failure point.
- Stage 4: Failed to deploy satellites properly.
This isn't ISRO's first brush with stage-three woes; historical data shows occasional liquid engine challenges due to the complexity of hypergolic propellants, which ignite on contact but demand precise mixing.
📈 The High Stakes: Satellites and Stakeholders Affected
The PSLV-C62 carried 16 satellites totaling significant value. EOS-N1, weighing several hundred kilograms, was designed for advanced Earth observation, aiding agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning. Among co-passengers were satellites from DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), academic institutions, and six from Indian startups, as reported by WION.
These private ventures represent India's burgeoning NewSpace economy, with firms investing millions in smallsat tech. Their loss raises questions about insurance—many were likely covered, but delays in replacements could strain budgets. Only the KID (Kinetx India Demonstrator?) survived to transmit data, offering a silver lining in hypersonic or re-entry tech validation.
Broader impacts include:
- Delayed Earth observation data critical for India's research jobs in climate monitoring.
- Setback for DRDO's defense satellite constellation.
- Financial hit to startups, potentially affecting investor confidence.
India Today described the mood at Sriharikota as one of stunned silence, underscoring the emotional toll on the 1,000+ personnel involved.
📱 Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz
On X (formerly Twitter), ISRO's post about the anomaly garnered over a million views within days. Posts from @ISRO confirmed the failure transparently, promising a detailed probe. Sentiment is mixed: disappointment dominates, but support for ISRO remains strong, with users recalling past recoveries like after the SSLV-D1 in 2022.
Trending discussions highlight concerns over repeated PSLV issues, with calls for faster next-gen launcher adoption like LVM3 or private rockets from Skyroot or Agnikul. Indian Express noted this as the second PSLV failure in eight months, fueling debates on reliability.
Students and aspiring engineers voiced optimism, linking the event to career paths in aerospace. Platforms buzz with advice on pursuing higher ed jobs in space sciences at IITs or IISc.
🛤️ ISRO's Historical Resilience and Recent Challenges
PSLV debuted in 1993, evolving through variants like XL and DL. Of 64 flights, success rate hovers near 95%, but recent dips—PSLV-C61 in 2025 and now C62—signal potential systemic issues in aging tech. The Week's explainer points to third-stage vulnerabilities, possibly from manufacturing variances or testing gaps.
ISRO has rebounded before: post-2014 GSLV failure, it mastered cryogenic engines indigenously. Chairman's statements emphasize learning from failures, with failure analysis committees standard protocol.
| Mission | Date | Issue | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSLV-C61 | May 2025 | PS3 anomaly | Partial failure |
| SSLV-D1 | 2022 | Sensor logic | Learned, D2 success |
| PSLV-C62 | Jan 2026 | PS3 deviation | Analysis ongoing |
🌟 Charting the Path Forward: ISRO's Ambitious Roadmap
Despite the PSLV mission setback, ISRO's vision remains bold. Techlusive outlines plans for Gaganyaan (human spaceflight by 2026-27), Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035, and reusable launchers. Private sector integration via IN-SPACe accelerates this, with 100+ startups developing rockets.
Next launches include GSLV for NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) and LVM3 for heavy payloads. Investments in semi-cryo engines and human-rated systems aim to mitigate PSLV dependencies. For details, see ISRO's official roadmap.
Government support via ₹13,000 crore budget underscores commitment. Experts predict quick recovery, leveraging PSLV's modular design for fixes.
🎯 Implications for India's Space Ecosystem
This event tests India's self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat. With China and US advancing hypersonics and lunar missions, reliability is key for commercial launches via NSIL (NewSpace India Limited). Aerospace Global News calls it a blow to ambitions, but historical pivots suggest resilience.
Economic ripple: Space sector contributes $8-10 billion GDP, employing lakhs. Failures highlight need for diversified launchers. Internationally, partners like ESA (PROBA-3 success prior) reaffirm ties.
- Boost private launches to reduce ISRO load.
- Enhance testing for liquid stages.
- Invest in AI for anomaly detection.
💼 Career Opportunities in India's Space Boom
For students eyeing STEM, this setback underscores dynamic careers. ISRO recruits via research assistant jobs, while universities like IIT Madras offer aerospace programs. Private firms seek propulsion engineers, data analysts for satellite ops.
Explore tips for academic CVs to land roles. With space economy projected at $44 billion by 2033, opportunities abound in propulsion, avionics, and mission control. Check university jobs for professorships in space tech.
Gadgets360 notes re-entry tech advances from KID, opening hypersonics niches. Share your thoughts in comments—have you applied to space roles?
📋 Wrapping Up: Resilience Defines Progress
The PSLV-C62 failure is a hurdle, not halt, for India's space journey. Transparent probes and robust plans position ISRO for triumphs. Stay updated via rate my professor for space faculty insights, or browse higher ed jobs and career advice. Visit post a job for recruiters. What’s your take on India's space future? Comment below!
For more, read Indian Express analysis or Times of India report.
