Sriharikota, India — Web Desk: ailure of the PSLV‑C62 mission shortly after launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
According to reports, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle encountered a technical malfunction around eight minutes after liftoff, leading to the destruction of 16 satellites, including the primary Earth-observation satellite EOS‑N1 (Anvesha).
The failure marks the fifth setback in the PSLV program since 2021 and the second major failure within the past eight months, raising fresh concerns about the reliability of one of India’s most trusted launch vehicles.
Earlier incidents include the EOS-09 mission in May 2025, which failed to reach orbit due to reduced pressure in the third-stage solid motor, and the NVS-02 navigation satellite failure in January, reportedly caused by a malfunctioning engine valve. Previous missions in 2022 and 2021 also suffered technical issues involving sensors and cryogenic stage components.
Industry analysts say repeated setbacks have not only affected the reputation of India’s space launch capabilities but also resulted in significant financial losses. Estimates suggest the failures of PSLV-C61 and PSLV-C62 alone cost between ₹1,100 and ₹1,250 crore, while the total losses from five failed missions could reach ₹2,200–₹2,800 crore.
The PSLV rocket, once considered among the world’s most reliable launch systems over three decades, has now been temporarily paused for review and technical investigation.
Meanwhile, India’s share of the global small satellite launch market, which stood at around 35% in 2017, has reportedly declined sharply by 2024–25 amid increasing competition and recent launch failures.
