Sriharikota: India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) encountered a technical anomaly during its third stage of flight on Monday, prompting the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to initiate a detailed data analysis. The space agency has not yet confirmed whether the mission was successful or unsuccessful.
The issue occurred during PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1, the 64th mission of the PSLV series, which lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 10:18 am. ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan confirmed that a deviation was detected mid-flight and said engineers are carefully examining telemetry and performance data before making any formal announcement.
“Data is being analysed. We will share the complete details at the earliest,” Dr Narayanan said, stopping short of declaring the mission’s outcome.
The launch was considered critical for the PSLV programme, coming after a setback in 2025, and was closely watched by India’s space and defence communities. The rocket was tasked with deploying 15 satellites, including EOS-N1, an Earth Observation satellite, and Anvesha, a surveillance satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
EOS-N1 and 14 co-passenger satellites were intended to be placed into a Sun Synchronous Orbit, while another payload — the Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID) — was planned for a controlled re-entry trajectory.
The Anvesha satellite is designed to enhance India’s high-resolution imaging and mapping capabilities, enabling more precise monitoring of strategic and sensitive locations. Its performance will be closely evaluated once ISRO completes the mission assessment.
Despite the anomaly, the mission marked a significant moment for India’s private space sector. For the first time, a single Indian private company — Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space — supplied seven satellites for a PSLV launch, highlighting the expanding role of private enterprises in India’s space ecosystem.
ISRO officials emphasised that a final determination on satellite deployment and mission objectives will only be made after full data review. Further updates are expected once the analysis of the third-stage performance is complete.
