India’s Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted its first launch of 2026, deploying the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite aboard the PSLV-C62 rocket.
Anwesha, also known as EOS-N1, lifted off on the 64th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle at 10:17 AM IST from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Taking to X, ISRO posted, “Liftoff! PSLV-C62 launches the EOS-N1 Mission from SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.”
Liftoff!
PSLV-C62 launches the EOS-N1 Mission from SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.
Livestream link: https://t.co/fMiIFTUGpf
For more information Visit:https://t.co/3ijojDaYB2
#PSLVC62 #EOSN1 #ISRO #NSIL— ISRO (@isro) January 12, 2026
The launch seeks to enhance India’s remote sensing capabilities across agriculture, urban mapping, and environmental monitoring. The mission carries 15 co-passenger satellites scheduled for injection into Sun Synchronous Orbit.
“The PSLV-C62 mission will also demonstrate KID or Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator from a Spanish startup, which is a small-scale prototype of a re-entry vehicle being developed by the startup,” ISRO shared before launch.
ISRO explained that the mission would also demonstrate the KID, or Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator, developed by a Spanish startup.
The small-scale prototype of a re-entry vehicle will follow a controlled trajectory and re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere for splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean.
Commercial and Technical Importance of Mission
The PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 mission marks the ninth dedicated commercial mission by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm. The launch also represents the fifth use of the PSLV-DL variant, which features two solid strap-on motors.
PSLV has completed 63 successful flights to date, including landmark missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1, and Astrosat. The vehicle also holds a world record set in 2017 for launching 104 satellites in a single mission.
Earlier, in May 2025, ISRO conducted the PSLV-C61 mission, deploying the 1,696 kg EOS-09 Earth Observation Satellite into a 505 km Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit.
The mission encountered a technical anomaly in the third stage, preventing the satellite from reaching its intended orbit.
Success with PSLV-C62 strengthens India’s Earth observation infrastructure, supports technological experiments through co-passenger missions, and expands commercial space initiatives via NSIL.
The mission sets a strong precedent for future space endeavours in 2026, reinforcing India’s leadership in satellite deployment and remote sensing capabilities.
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