ISRO’s Successfully Lift Off Anomaly in PS3 Stage of PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 Mission

India’s PSLV-C62 rocket carrying the EOS-N1 satellite encountered an anomaly during the final phase of its third stage on January 12, 2026. The launch took place from Sriharikota after a 22.5 hour countdown. While initial stages performed normally, deviations in roll rate and flight path were observed, prompting ISRO to begin a detailed technical analysis.

Why in News?

The PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission faced a technical anomaly near the end of the PS3 stage. ISRO confirmed that the issue led to deviations in the rocket’s trajectory, and further assessment of mission data is in progress.

Mission Overview and Launch Details

The PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission followed a 22.5-hour countdown before lifting off from Sriharikota, marking the 105th launch from the spaceport and the 64th flight of the PSLV. The mission used the PSLV-DL variant, which features two strap-on boosters, and was the fifth flight of this configuration.

EOS-N1, an Earth observation satellite built for strategic applications, was the primary payload. The launch was a commercial mission executed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm. Alongside EOS-N1, 15 co-passenger satellites developed by startups and academic institutions from India and abroad were onboard, reflecting India’s growing role in the global small satellite launch market.

Planned Mission Profile

Under the original mission plan, EOS-N1 and 14 of the co-passenger satellites were to be injected into a Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). The remaining payload, the KID capsule developed by Orbital Paradigm (Spain) in collaboration with RIDE (France), was intended for a re-entry experiment.

Following satellite deployment, the PS4 stage was scheduled to restart to de-boost itself and enter a re-entry trajectory. Both the PS4 stage and the KID capsule were expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and impact the South Pacific Ocean. ISRO has not yet confirmed whether these objectives were achieved.

What Did ISRO Say About the Anomaly?

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan stated that a deviation was noticed during the third stage of the rocket. He clarified that mission data is currently being analysed and that ISRO will share detailed findings soon. At present, the mission has not been officially declared a success or failure.

Key Payloads and Strategic Importance

One of the major satellites onboard was Anvesha, a surveillance satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization. Anvesha is designed to provide advanced imaging capabilities, enhancing India’s ability to monitor and map strategic locations with high precision, which is vital for national security and disaster management.

Role of the Private Space Sector

The mission marked a milestone for India’s private space ecosystem. For the first time, a single private company, Dhruva Space from Hyderabad, contributed seven satellites to a PSLV mission. This highlights the growing collaboration between ISRO and private players following space sector reforms.

Key Summary At Glance

Aspect	Details
Why in News?	Anomaly during PSLV-C62 third stage
Launch Vehicle	PSLV (64th mission)
Launch Date	January 12, 2026
Launch Site	Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
Main Payload	EOS-N1
Strategic Satellite	Anvesha (DRDO)
Private Sector Role	Dhruva Space (7 satellites)
Current Status	Data under analysis

Question

Q. Which organization developed the Anvesha surveillance satellite?

A. ISRO
B. DRDO
C. HAL
D. BEL