ISRO set for first launch of 2026 as PSLV-C62 prepares for liftoff

India is ready to begin 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 crucial return for ISRO’s trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle after its previous flight in 2025 was aborted due to a technical issue.

The 260-tonne rocket will place the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite, also known as Anvesha, into a polar sun-synchronous orbit a few hundred kilometres above the Earth. The countdown for the mission began at 12:48 pm on Sunday and will last 22 hours and 30 minutes, ISRO sources confirmed.

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Multiple Satellites and In-Orbit Demonstration

Along with the primary satellite, PSLV-C62 will deploy 14 co-passenger satellites from domestic and international customers, arranged through NewSpace India Ltd, ISRO’s commercial arm. All satellites are expected to be released within 17 minutes of lift-off.

More than 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 and the PS4 stage are expected to splash down in the South Pacific Ocean.

Backbone of India’s Launch Programme

This mission will be 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 reputation as the backbone of India’s space launch programme.