India's space mission suffers anomaly; second PSLV failure in 9 months

India's space program faced a significant setback on Monday as a key satellite launch mission was disrupted by a technical failure. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reported that its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, designated PSLV-C62, "encountered an anomaly during the end of the PS3 stage," referring to a problem that occurred near the conclusion of the rocket's third-stage burn shortly after liftoff.

A Recurring Technical Issue

This incident marks the second consecutive failure for the PSLV rocket in under nine months, raising concerns about a potential systemic issue. In May 2025, the PSLV-C61 mission also failed due to a technical problem during its third stage of flight, preventing a new earth observation satellite from reaching orbit. ISRO stated that a "detailed analysis has been initiated" to determine the cause of the latest anomaly, which occurred after the rocket launched at 10:17 a.m. local time from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, on India's southeastern coast.

High-Stakes Payload and Mission Objectives

The primary payload for the PSLV-C62 mission was the EOS-N1 satellite, also known as Anvesha. Developed by India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the satellite was described by All India Radio as a cutting-edge imaging platform "designed to provide cutting-edge imaging capabilities, enabling India to map enemy positions with pinpoint accuracy." In addition to this strategic defense satellite, the rocket was carrying 15 co-passenger satellites, making the mission's failure a dual blow to both national security and commercial space objectives.

Impact on India's Space Ambitions

The repeated anomaly in the PSLV's third stage presents a serious challenge for ISRO, which has built a global reputation for reliability and cost-effectiveness with its PSLV rocket family. As the agency investigates this latest failure, the focus will be on identifying whether the issue is related to specific components, manufacturing processes, or design elements common to both failed missions. The outcome of this analysis will be critical for restoring confidence in one of India's most important space launch vehicles and maintaining its competitive position in the global satellite launch market.