ISRO to Kick Off 2026 with PSLV-C62 Launch Carrying ‘Anvesha’ Satellite

India is set to begin its 2026 space calendar with the launch of the PSLV-C62 mission, as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepares to place an Earth observation satellite along with 14 co-passenger satellites into orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday, January 12.

The countdown for the mission began on Sunday afternoon, marking a key moment for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle after its previous mission in 2025 was aborted due to a technical observation.

The 260-tonne PSLV-C62 rocket will carry the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite, also known as Anvesha, into a polar sun-synchronous orbit a few hundred kilometres above Earth.

What to expect from the mission

In addition to the primary payload, the rocket will deploy 14 co-passenger satellites from domestic and international customers. These satellites are being launched through NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm.

The mission will also feature an in-orbit demonstration involving a re-entry capsule belonging to a Spanish startup.

“Yes, the countdown started at 12.48 pm and will last 22 hours and 30 minutes,” ISRO sources told news agency PTI, adding that the launch is scheduled for 10:18 am on Monday.

Following lift-off, the main Earth observation satellite will be deployed first, followed by the remaining co-passenger satellites within 17 minutes.

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 capsule, weighing around 25 kg. Both the PS4 stage and the capsule are expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and splash down in the South Pacific Ocean.

About the PSLV-C62 launch

The PSLV has completed 63 missions to date, carrying major payloads including Chandrayaan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), and Aditya-L1. The upcoming flight will mark its 64th mission, underscoring the vehicle’s role as the backbone of India’s space launch programme.

“January 12, 2026, marks India’s first launch of the year. The PSLV is among the most reliable launch vehicles in the world,” Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium Director B.R. Guruprasad told ANI. “This will be the 64th PSLV launch, placing the Anvesha EOS-N1 satellite into a polar sun-synchronous orbit.”

The mission comes shortly after ISRO’s successful LVM3 launch of AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite, which marked the heaviest payload ever placed into low Earth orbit by the rocket.