ISRO’s PSLV program faces setback with second consecutive mission failure

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), recognized as a cornerstone of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), faced a significant challenge on January 12 as it recorded its second consecutive mission failure. The PSLV-C62 mission, which was intended to deploy the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite, also known as Anvesha, along with 15 additional co-passenger payloads, was unable to achieve its orbital objectives due to an anomaly observed during the third stage of its flight.

The launch occurred at 10:17 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. After an initially successful first and second stage performance, complications arose towards the conclusion of the third stage burn. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan noted a “disturbance in roll rates,” which resulted in a deviation from the intended flight path and prevented the rocket from reaching the necessary orbital velocity. ISRO has initiated a comprehensive analysis into the failure and has pledged to provide further updates as details emerge.

This event marks a troubling trend, as it represents the second failure of the PSLV’s third stage – powered by a solid rocket motor – in just eight months. The earlier incident took place on May 18, 2025, during the PSLV-C61 mission, which was tasked with launching the EOS-09 radar imaging satellite. That mission was similarly thwarted when telemetry revealed a significant drop in chamber pressure, rendering the stage incapable of producing the needed thrust. Although an internal report on that failure was submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office in August 2025, it has yet to be made public.

The third stage of the PSLV is designed for rapid acceleration, critical for successful orbital insertion. Unlike liquid stage propellants, solid fuel motors cannot be controlled once ignited, leaving little margin for error. Analysts have speculated that the causes for both failures could include issues such as nozzle wear, material failure, or defects during manufacturing that may have led to pressure loss or improper thrust direction.

The consecutive failures have raised alarms regarding quality assurance and the integrity of ISRO’s manufacturing processes, particularly concerning the PSLV’s longstanding success rate, which previously exceeded 96% across more than 62 launches. The PSLV has also been pivotal for ISRO’s commercial strategy through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), promoting the vehicle as a reliable, economical option for launching payloads of up to 3.8 tons into low Earth orbit.

The PSLV-C62 mission had a diverse payload, including the strategically important EOS-N1 hyperspectral satellite, which is designed for defense applications, as well as several international CubeSats from nations including Brazil, Nepal, Spain, and the UK. The loss of these foreign payloads could have ramifications for ISRO’s reputation in the global small-satellite market, potentially leading to increased insurance liabilities and postponements in commercial agreements.

Further complicating matters is the progressing Gaganyaan human spaceflight initiative, which, while using a different rocket, the LVM3, has brought attention to a perceived lack of transparency in ISRO’s reporting on failures. As crewed missions approach, concerns over the culture of withholding information surrounding failures have come into sharper focus.

Despite these setbacks, ISRO’s history of achievements remains noteworthy, including the successful Chandrayaan-3 landing at the Moon’s south pole and the Mars Orbiter Mission. The organization is also in the process of developing a Next Generation Launch Vehicle to compete on the global stage. Industry experts believe these recent incidents may serve as critical learning opportunities to improve manufacturing and testing protocols, paving the way for the PSLV to regain its esteemed reputation. The PSLV program has been temporarily suspended as ISRO conducts an investigation, highlighting the stakes involved in India’s expanding space ambitions.