The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to commence its 2026 launch campaign with the PSLV-C62 mission, scheduled for Monday, 12 January 2026 at 10:17 AM IST from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The mission marks a renewed thrust in India’s space ambitions, combining strategic Earth observation capabilities with commercial and international collaborations.
PSLV-C62 Mission Launch Countdown: Timing, Location and Vehicle
ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission will see the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)—one of India’s most reliable rockets—taking to the skies for its 64th flight.
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The mission is poised to be ISRO’s first orbital launch of the calendar year 2026 and is also the agency’s 101st orbital launch overall.
Launch Date: Monday, 12 January 2026
Launch Time: 10:17 AM IST
Launch Site: First Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
Launch Vehicle: PSLV-DL variant (two strap-on boosters)
Mission Type: Multi-payload orbital deployment
Flight Number: 64th PSLV launch
PSLV’s proven track record across decades—with notable missions including Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, and Aditya-L1—makes this flight a key barometer of mission success and technical resilience after the challenges faced by the preceding PSLV-C61 mission.
Primary Payload: EOS-N1 (Anvesha) for Earth Observation
At the heart of the PSLV-C62 mission lies the EOS-N1 satellite, also known by its codename Anvesha—a next-generation Earth Observation Satellite developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and launched commercially by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
This mission emphasizes strategic reconnaissance and advanced imaging, with EOS-N1 designed for high-resolution Earth observation, supporting applications such as:
- Defence and security surveillance
- Agricultural monitoring and crop assessments
- Environmental and climate change tracking
- Urban planning and infrastructure mapping
The satellite will be placed into a Sun-synchronous orbit, allowing consistent global coverage suitable for time-series data collection and rapid revisits over strategic locations.
Multi-Satellite Deployment & International Participation
Aside from the primary payload, PSLV-C62 will carry a total of 19 satellites, including EOS-N1 and 18 co-passengers from domestic and global partners:
- Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID) – A Spanish startup’s experimental payload designed to test novel aerospace concepts.
- Commercial satellites from research institutions and companies spanning Europe, Asia, and the United States.
- Some international co-passengers reflect an expanding footprint for ISRO’s commercial launch services.
This integrated payload stack underscores PSLV’s role as a versatile, multi-manifest launcher for both strategic and commercial missions, strengthening India’s position in the global space launch market.
Strategic and Global Significance of PSLV-C62 Mission
The PSLV-C62 mission carries importance beyond its technical successes.
It signifies:
Resilience after PSLV-C61 challenges: A successful C-62 will restore confidence in the PSLV’s robust heritage.
Enhanced Earth-observation capabilities: Through cutting-edge sensors and orbiting systems.
Growth of international partnerships: By integrating foreign payloads and collaborating on commercial launches.
Boost to India’s geospatial intelligence ambitions: Complementing emerging space-based security and environmental programs.
These strategic drivers align with broader space policy goals outlined by both ISRO and the Government of India toward achieving technological self-reliance, global commercial competitiveness, and operational leadership in space sciences.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Space Calendar
PSLV-C62 opens a busy agenda for India’s space programme in 2026, which is expected to include:
- Follow-on Earth-observation missions
- Joint international science missions
- Technology demonstration flights (e.g., on-orbit refuelling experiments)
- Preparations for future large rocket and human spaceflight ventures
With the PSLV-C62 Mission and its successful lift-off, ISRO aims to set a strong pace for the year, reinforcing its technological muscle and space diplomacy footprint.
