On ISRO’s Failed PSLV C62 Mission

On 12 January 2026, the PSLV-C62 mission failed after entering its third stage. This follows a nearly identical failure of the PSLV-C61 in May 2025.

About PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)

• PSLV is ISRO’s (Indian Space Research Organisation) workhorse launch vehicle, designed primarily to place satellites into polar and Sun-synchronous orbits (SSO).
• Stages: It consists of alternating solid and liquid propulsion.
  • Stage 1: Solid (with strap-on boosters)
  • Stage 2: Liquid (Vikas engine)
  • Stage 3: Solid
  • Stage 4: Liquid (for precise orbital insertion)
• Why the Third Stage Is Critical: The third stage pushes the rocket close to orbital speed
  • Any drop in combustion pressure or structural anomaly can lead to inadequate thrust, causing the rocket to fall short of the required velocity or to deviate from its flight path.

Issues Affecting PSLV Programme

• Repeated Third-Stage Failures:
  • PSLV-C61 (May 2025) failed due to loss of chamber pressure in the third stage.
  • PSLV-C62 (January 2026) failed after a roll-rate disturbance in the third stage.
  • Similar symptoms suggest systemic problems rather than isolated technical glitches.
• Quality Assurance Lapses: PSLV technology is mature, so repeated failures point to quality assurance and manufacturing issues.
  • Errors are unlikely to be design-related and more likely linked to procedural controls.
• Non-Disclosure of Failure Analysis Report: The Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report of C61 was not made public and was sent only to the Prime Minister’s Office.
  • ISRO cleared PSLV for the next launch, citing “structural reinforcements” without public disclosure of root causes.
• Bureaucratisation of Institutional Culture: ISRO’s culture is shifting from scientific openness to a guarded and bureaucratic posture. 
• Strategic and Operational Pressures: The C62 mission carried EOS-N1, a DRDO-built satellite with strategic applications. This may explain pressure to proceed with launch despite unresolved issues.
• Mixed Performance Record: While PSLV faced setbacks, ISRO’s LVM-3 has shown increasing reliability, including the M6 mission in December 2025. This indicates uneven performance across launch vehicle programmes

Way Forward

• Ensure Transparency: The Department of Space should publish the Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report of PSLV-C61 to clarify root causes and corrective actions, which is essential for public and commercial confidence.
• Strengthen Quality Assurance: ISRO must reform and tighten its quality control systems, as only visible, credible corrective measures can restore long-term reliability and market trust.

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Conclusion

Repeated PSLV failures can increase perceived risk, leading insurers to raise premiums, which in turn raises launch costs and reduces PSLV’s competitiveness in the global market, undermining India’s goal of becoming a net provider of space services.

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