What is ISRO PSLV-C62 Mission? Check Launch of DRDO’s EOS-N1 Satellite

Sriharikota, January 12, 2026 - The PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission, the first mission to launch a satellite since 2024 in India, was successfully launched by ISRO, but suffered a third-stage anomaly, and its path was not perfect (endangering the deployment of its payload). 

The ISRO Chairman V. Narayan confirmed that there was a malfunction in stage-3 performance and telemetry is underway; satellite orbits are not yet confirmed.

This is the second consecutive issue of PSLV third-stage since C61.

⚠️ On-board video from the 4th stage (PS4) on PSLV-C62 shows the vehicle and the payload tumbling as they fall towards the Earth 🎥

This confirms what we saw on the real-time animation. pic.twitter.com/S7sYaWhpyb

— ISRO Spaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) January 12, 2026

Mission Recap and Timeline

• Lift-Off: PSLV-DL version blasted off First Launch Pad, Sriharikota, with EOS-N1 (Anvesha) (DRDO hyperspectral spy sat) and 15 co-passengers (total mass 500kg).

• Abnormality: Experienced post second stage separation; rocket diverted 550 km SSO path.

• Status: Stage-1/2 nominal; PS4 experiments (e.g., Kestrel demo) uncertain; no explosion was immediately reported.

• The timer started January 11 (22.5 hours); the live feed had millions of viewers at its peak.

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Mission Payloads and Objectives

• Primary: EOS-N1 (Anvesha)

• DRDO Hyperspectral imaging satellite to be used in strategy surveillance, agriculture, urban planning and environmental monitoring.

• Mass: Classified; orbit: 550 km SSO; advanced multi-spectral multispectral fine-resolution optics.

• Co-Passengers (15-18 total) -100-500 kg aggregate

• Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID): Propulsion demonstrator by Spanish startup, attached to PS4 stage.

• AayulSAT: on-orbit refueling pioneer of OrbitAid Aerospace (Bengaluru) to extend the life of satellites.

PSLV-C62 Technical Profile

• Configuration PSLV-DL (PS1-4 + 2 solid boosters); 44 m high, 320 tonnes lift-off mass.

• Orbit: 550 km Sun-Synchronous Earth Observation

• Past: PSLV has been successful in 63 previous missions, Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1; 104-satellites record (2017).

PS4 Upper Stage as Experiment Orbital

• DRDO Synergy: EOS-N1 enhances the ISR of India in the context of tension with the LAC, the hyperspectral technology monitors minerals, crops, pollution.

• Private Sector Leap: AayulSAT further develops the refueling targets of the Gaganyaan/BSNR mission of ISRO, KID grows international connections.

• Business uplift: NSIL has an appearance of promoting the Indian smallsat hub (estimated 10B market in 2030).

• Refinements are verified in C62 (third-stage issue).

Launch Viewing and Updates

Public Gallery: To view Sriharikota, one should register at lvg.shar.gov.in.

Live Broadcast: ISRO YouTube, Web site since 9.30 AM IST.

Weather: Favourable; contingency January 13

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