Is ISRO's PSLV-C62 Set to Launch an Earth Observation Satellite on January 12?
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Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch the EOS-N1 earth observation satellite aboard the PSLV-C62 rocket on January 12, initiating the first mission of 2026.
The EOS-N1, also known as Anvesha, is a sophisticated Earth observation satellite aimed at enhancing India’s remote sensing capabilities, particularly in agriculture, urban mapping, and environmental monitoring.
ISRO confirmed that the integration of the vehicle and satellites has been finalized, with pre-launch checks currently underway. The PSLV-C62 mission is scheduled for liftoff on January 12, 2026, at 10:17 AM from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
This mission will also carry 15 co-passenger payloads, making it a noteworthy multi-satellite deployment.
Moreover, the PSLV-C62 mission will showcase the KID or Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator from a Spanish startup, representing a small-scale prototype of a re-entry vehicle under development.
The KID is expected to be the final co-passenger injected, after which it will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere for a splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean.
The PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 Mission marks the 9th dedicated commercial mission carried out by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm.
Notably, this will be the 64th flight of the PSLV, and the launch will be the fifth utilizing the PSLV-DL variant, featuring two solid strap-on motors.
PSLV has successfully completed 63 flights, including major missions like Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1, and Astrosat Mission. In 2017, it set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission.
In May, ISRO launched the 101st mission with PSLV-C61, deploying the 1,696 kg EOS-09 Earth Observation Satellite into a 505 km Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit. Despite initial success, a technical anomaly in the rocket's third stage impeded the mission from achieving its targeted orbit.