India’s space program encountered a significant setback on Monday when its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) deviated from its intended trajectory shortly after liftoff. The mission, which launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 10:18 a.m. local time, carried sixteen payloads including the primary EOS-N1 earth observation satellite and fifteen additional experiments developed by Indian and international startups and academic institutions.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reported that the rocket performed nominally during initial flight phases before experiencing an unexpected disturbance during the final segment of its PS3 stage. Mission control observed abnormal deviations from the planned flight path, prompting ISRO to initiate comprehensive analysis of the anomaly. The space agency has not disclosed specific technical details regarding the malfunction or the ultimate disposition of the vehicle and its payload.
This incident marks the second failure for the PSLV platform within an eight-month period, potentially impacting its established reputation for reliability. The workhorse launch vehicle has historically maintained an impressive 90% success rate across approximately sixty missions, including landmark achievements such as the Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission and the Aditya-L1 solar observatory deployment.
The PSLV series represents a cornerstone of India’s space ambitions, serving both governmental scientific objectives and the nation’s growing commercial space sector. This latest anomaly occurs amid India’s concerted efforts to expand private industry participation in space manufacturing and satellite deployment services, raising questions about potential implications for the country’s competitive position in the global space market.