US EditionIndian Rocket Launch Loses Control After Liftoff in Fresh Blow to ISRO
ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission lost 16 satellites including EOS-N1 due to a third-stage anomaly, marking the second consecutive PSLV failure with a 90% historical success rate.
- On January 12, 2026, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed a critical third-stage anomaly during the PSLV-C62 rocket launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
- After the May 18, 2025 PSLV-C61 failure, the PSLV rocket has now failed two consecutive missions despite its 64-flight record, and the Failure Analysis Committee report on C61 has not been released.
- Telemetry and reports indicate a roll-rate disturbance in PS3, a solid-fuel motor, causing loss of control and trajectory deviation around nine minutes into flight during the third-stage coasting phase, after nominal first and second stages.
- All 15 satellites aboard the rocket were lost, including EOS-N1 and 14 co-passenger satellites, dealing a major setback to NewSpace India Ltd and raising concerns about third-stage quality assurance.
- Technical analysis suggests a nozzle or casing breach causing a chamber pressure drop that vented gas sideways, creating pinwheel/twisting torque on PS3; if confirmed, this raises concerns about PSLV fleet material integrity and return-to-flight criteria and external scrutiny.
56 Articles
56 Articles
The launch of an Indian launcher with 16 satellites caused technical problems. Shortly before the end of the third flight phase, the PSLV-C62 deviated from its planned route.
ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission fails after anomaly during third stage of flight
ISRO’s PSLV-C62 rocket failed to complete its mission after encountering an anomaly during the third stage of flight on January 12, 2026. The four-stage launch vehicle lifted off on schedule from Sriharikota carrying 16 satellites, including a foreign Earth Observation satellite, intended for a Sun Synchronous Orbit.
Indian rocket loses control after lift-off in fresh blow to country’s space agency
An Indian rocket carrying 16 loads of equipment and experiments, including an earth surveillance satellite, went off track after lift-off on Monday in a fresh setback to the workhorse launch vehicle of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was a second disappointment for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in about eight months, denting its reputation for reliability, with a more than 90 per cent success rate over about 60 past missio…
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