Against the backdrop of a troubled launch, one small spacecraft managed to stand out. A satellite known as KID successfully separated from the rest of the payload even as 15 other satellites failed to reach their intended orbit during the Indian Space Research Organisation’s PSLV C62 mission. The launch, part of the EOS N1 programme, took place from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on Monday.
The 44.4 metre tall, four-stage rocket lifted off on schedule at 10.18 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. The mission aimed to deploy one primary Earth observation satellite along with multiple co-passenger satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 512 kilometres, following a flight lasting roughly 17 minutes.
After receiving clearance from the mission director, the automated launch sequence began, with scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation providing live updates as the vehicle climbed. The early phases unfolded as planned, but concerns emerged soon after the announcement confirming ignition of the third stage.
Most satellites lost, but one separated successfully
This marks the second consecutive setback for ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle; 15 out of the 16 satellites onboard could not be injected into the desired orbit. The problem arose due to an anomaly detected during the rocket’s third stage, a critical phase of the ascent.
ISRO chairman V Narayanan said disturbances and a deviation from the intended flight path were observed while the strap-on motors were operating during the third stage. He added that a detailed technical investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause.
According to sources cited by PTI, all satellites were initially believed to be lost. However, a small experimental payload called KID, short for Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator, managed to defy the odds. Developed by Spanish startup Orbital Paradigm, the capsule is a prototype re-entry vehicle.
In a post on X, the company said that the KID capsule successfully separated from PSLV C62, powered on, and transmitted data. The team said it is now reconstructing the trajectory and will release a detailed report later.
Payloads that failed to reach orbit
Among the satellites that could not be placed in orbit was DRDO’s Anvesha, designed to detect military camouflage from nearly 500 kilometres above Earth. Also lost were AayulSAT, India’s first in-orbit refuelling experiment, and CGUSAT, a student-built low Earth orbit satellite intended for emergency communication and disaster response. The primary Earth observation satellite on the mission was jointly developed by Thailand and the United Kingdom.
This failure follows a similar outcome in May 2025, when the PSLV C61 EOS 09 mission was unsuccessful due to a motor pressure issue that caused a drop in chamber pressure.
A former senior ISRO scientist told PTI that the agency would need time to collect and analyse data before identifying corrective measures. He added that since the satellites did not reach their intended orbit, they may now be drifting as space debris.
ISRO’s official response
Acknowledging the issue on its official X account, ISRO said the PSLV C62 mission encountered an anomaly toward the end of the third stage and that a comprehensive analysis is underway. The agency stopped short of formally declaring the mission a failure.
Later, speaking briefly to the media, Chairman V Narayanan said the mission did not proceed along the expected flight path. He added that engineers are examining data received from ground stations and that further details will be shared once the analysis is complete.
