What Went Wrong With ISRO’s First Mission of 2026? Third-Stage Anomaly Explained
India’s space programme suffered an early setback in 2026 after the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission encountered a critical anomaly during launch on Monday. The mission, operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was intended to place 16 satellites into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit, but a deviation during the rocket’s third stage disrupted the flight, leaving the fate of the satellites uncertain.
The issue has drawn attention as it marks the second consecutive PSLV mission affected by third-stage problems.
What Happened During the Launch
The 44.4-metre-tall PSLV-C62 lifted off at 10:18 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, carrying the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Earth observation satellite along with 15 co-passenger satellites from India and overseas. The launch proceeded smoothly through the first and second stages, and the third stage ignited as planned.
However, shortly after third-stage operations began, mission controllers noticed irregular behaviour. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan said disturbances appeared near the end of the third-stage burn, a crucial phase that determines orbital accuracy.
Third-Stage Disturbance Explained
According to Narayanan, while performance up to the end of the third stage was broadly within expectations, increased disturbances were observed as strap-on motors provided thrust. This led to a deviation in the rocket’s flight path, preventing it from maintaining the precise trajectory required to inject the satellites into their target orbit.
“The mission could not proceed in the expected flight path,” Narayanan said, adding that full clarity would emerge only after analysing telemetry data from all tracking stations.
Status of the Satellites
ISRO has not yet confirmed whether EOS-N1 or the other 15 satellites were successfully deployed. About 30 minutes after liftoff, the space agency acknowledged the anomaly on X, stating that a detailed analysis was underway.
Telemetry and tracking data are currently being examined to determine whether any satellites reached orbit or were lost following the deviation.
A Concerning Pattern
The incident is especially significant because a similar third-stage issue occurred in May 2025, raising concerns about the reliability of the PSLV’s solid propulsion phase. The PSLV has long been regarded as ISRO’s workhorse launch vehicle, with over 60 missions and only a few failures.
Back-to-back anomalies, however, may prompt deeper design and quality reviews before future flights.
Our Thoughts
While setbacks are part of any advanced space programme, repeated issues in the same stage demand urgent technical scrutiny. ISRO’s transparent communication and methodical analysis will be key to restoring confidence in the PSLV, which remains central to India’s space ambitions and commercial launch reputation.