ISRO PSLV-C62 Mission Fails, 16 Satellites Lost

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) suffered a major setback as the PSLV-C62 mission, launched on January 12, failed to deploy its satellites. According to ISRO, everything went well until the second stage, but in the third stage, the rocket deviated from its intended path, preventing the satellites from being deployed. ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan stated that data is being analyzed and updates will be shared as soon as available.

Despite a flawless launch, the rocket could not place its satellites on the intended trajectory. It is believed that all 16 satellites, including both domestic and international payloads, were lost. Reports indicate that data transmission to the command center stopped immediately after the second stage was completed, creating an atmosphere of concern at the center.

ISRO confirmed that a malfunction occurred at the end of the third stage (PS3). A detailed investigation has been initiated. The PSLV-C62 rocket was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 10:17 AM on January 12. The mission included 16 satellites, marking a significant milestone in India's space program.

The primary satellite was DRDO's EOS-N1 (Anvesha), also known as the 'Divya Drishti' or hyperspectral imaging satellite. It is designed to capture extremely clear images of objects and analyze chemical and color features, providing insights into soil moisture and crop health. The mission also included 15 other satellites for domestic and international clients. The failure of this mission is considered a major blow to India's space ambitions.