Sriharikota | January 12, 2026
India kicked off its 2026 spaceflight calendar with the successful launch of PSLV-C62 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marking the 64th mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the country’s first major space operation of the year. The launch took place at 10:17 AM IST, with ISRO Chairman S. Somanath overseeing mission operations.
The rocket deployed 16–19 satellites into a sun-synchronous polar orbit, reflecting India’s strengthened presence in commercial space services, advanced Earth observation, and private-sector collaboration.
DRDO’s EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Leads the Mission
The primary payload, EOS-N1 (Anvesha), is a sophisticated hyperspectral Earth-observation satellite developed by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Its high-resolution imaging capabilities will support:
Precision agriculture
Forest and ecosystem monitoring
Mineral mapping
Defense and surveillance applications
The satellite is expected to significantly enhance India’s geospatial intelligence capabilities, with the ability to detect minute changes on Earth’s surface.
Private Sector Steps Forward: Dhruva Space, AayulSAT & More
The PSLV-C62 mission showcased unprecedented private-sector participation:
Dhruva Space
Contributed seven satellites, strengthening India’s growing commercial launch portfolio.
AayulSAT
India’s first on-orbit satellite refueling demonstration, a breakthrough for future long-duration missions and spacecraft life-extension technologies.
MOI-1
India’s first orbital AI-imaging laboratory, designed to process data and train machine-learning models directly in space.
In addition to domestic payloads, the launch carried several international co-passengers from:
Mauritius
Luxembourg
UAE
Singapore
Europe
United States
Experimental Payloads Add Innovation Edge
The mission also featured the Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID), an experimental device developed by a Spanish space startup.
Mounted on the rocket’s upper stage, KID will evaluate new sensor technologies for future scientific and commercial missions.
A Return to Momentum After Previous Setbacks
The PSLV-C62 launch marks a strong start to 2026 for ISRO, which had faced operational delays and anomalies in previous missions.
The successful deployment of multiple payloads—including several advanced commercial and defense satellites—signals a renewed phase of confidence and capability for India’s space program.
Analysts say the mission underscores India’s evolution into a global space-service provider while deepening collaboration between ISRO, DRDO, and the private space ecosystem.
