India is set to kick off its 2026 space calendar with the launch of the PSLV-C62 mission, scheduled for 10:18 am on Monday, January 12, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The mission marks a significant return for ISRO’s trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle after its previous 2025 flight was aborted due to a technical issue.
The 260-tonne rocket will deploy the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite, also known as Anvesha, into a polar sun-synchronous orbit a few hundred kilometres above Earth. The countdown began at 12:48 pm on Sunday and will continue for 22 hours and 30 minutes, ISRO sources confirmed.
Alongside the primary payload, PSLV-C62 will carry 14 co-passenger satellites from domestic and international clients, facilitated through NewSpace India Ltd, ISRO’s commercial arm. All satellites are expected to be deployed within 17 minutes of lift-off.
Over two hours after launch, ISRO scientists will restart the rocket’s fourth stage to demonstrate the de-boost and re-entry of the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator, a 25-kg capsule developed by a Spanish startup. The capsule, along with the PS4 stage, is expected to splash down in the South Pacific Ocean.
This mission will mark the PSLV’s 64th flight. The vehicle has previously launched landmark missions such as Chandrayaan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission, and Aditya-L1, reinforcing its role as the backbone of India’s space launch programme.
