India’s space program has faced a significant blow as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Mission C-62 encountered an "abnormal situation" shortly after launch.

The mission was carrying 16 satellites, all of which appear to have been lost, including the EOS-N1 and "Anvesha," an advanced spy satellite belonging to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

According to a report by NDTV, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed on Monday (January 12) that a deviation was observed during the third stage of the rocket's flight.

Uncertainty Over Mission Outcome

ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan stated, "We are currently analyzing the data received. Details will be shared as soon as possible."

While the loss of the satellites is imminent, the Chairman refrained from officially labeling the mission a total failure until the investigation concludes.

The PSLV-C62, marking the 64th mission of the PSLV series, took off at 10:18 AM local time on Monday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Technical Breakdown: The Third Stage Crisis

Initial telemetry data suggests the flight began smoothly, with the first and second stages performing as expected.

However, the crisis emerged during the third stage:

• Trajectory Deviation: ISRO officials noted a significant deviation in the rocket's flight path during this phase.
• Critical Phase: Historically, any abnormality in the third stage of a PSLV launch has almost always resulted in the failure of the entire mission.
• Cargo Lost: The mission was carrying a total of 16 satellites intended for various earth observation and defense purposes.

A String of Setbacks

This mission was seen as a crucial "comeback" for the PSLV. In 2025, ISRO launched only one PSLV rocket, which also ended in failure.

Notably, that previous failure was also attributed to issues in the rocket's third stage, raising concerns about a potential recurring technical flaw in the launch vehicle's design.