India’s PSLV suffers its 5th launch failure since 2021
ISRO’s repeated setbacks bring international humiliation
Islamabad: Since 2021, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recorded five total mission failures, representing a challenging period for ISRO. Between 2021 and 2026, ISRO’s reliability has been questioned as it faced three of these failures within a single 12-month period between January 2025 and January 2026.
According to Kashmir Media Service, on January 11-12, 2026, India’s PSLV-C62 polar satellite launch vehicle failed during ascent from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in the loss of the primary Earth observation satellite (EOS-N1, or “Anvesha”) and 15 co-passenger spacecraft.
This marks the second unsuccessful PSLV attempt in eight months and the fifth major failure since 2021 disrupted supply chains and testing in the last five years exposing systemic vulnerabilities in ISRO’s flagship program amid aggressive commercialization pushes.
ISRO Mission Failures. The following list details every unsuccessful or partially failed orbital mission conducted by ISRO since 2021:
PSLV-C62 (January 12, 2026): This mission was lost eight minutes after liftoff due to a technical anomaly in the third stage (PS3). A “performance disturbance” and sudden drop in chamber pressure caused the vehicle to deviate from its flight path, resulting in the loss of 16 satellites, including the strategic EOS-N1 (Anvesha) for DRDO.
ISRO’s PSLV experienced its second consecutive failure in eight months in January 2026, contributing to five strategic mission setbacks since 2017 that have compromised national security and cost an estimated $250 million.
PSLV-C61 (May 18, 2025): The mission failed during its third stage, preventing the EOS-09 earth observation satellite from reaching its intended orbit. ISRO cited a drop in combustion chamber pressure in the solid motor as the primary cause.
GSLV-F15 (January 2025): While the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) successfully placed the NVS-02 navigation satellite into a transfer orbit, the satellite itself encountered a valve issue that prevented it from firing its engines to reach its final orbit, rendering it unusable.
GSLV-F10 (August 12, 2021): The mission failed during the ignition of the Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS). A technical anomaly, later revealed to be a valve leak in the liquid hydrogen tank, prevented the EOS-03 satellite from reaching orbit.
SSLV-D1 (August 7, 2022): The inaugural flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) resulted in a “partial failure”. While the rocket performed well, the satellites were placed into a highly elliptical, unstable orbit due to a sensor failure, causing them to re-enter and burn up shortly after.
Financial and Strategic Losses
Launch Success Rate: Between 2021 and 2026, ISRO’s failure rate increased significantly, with some analysts noting that three of the last six missions (as of early 2026) were unsuccessful.
PSLV Workhorse Strain: For over 30 years, the PSLV was considered India’s most reliable launcher, failing only twice between 1993 and 2017. The back-to-back failures of PSLV-C61 and PSLV-C62 in 2025–2026 have grounded the vehicle for investigation.
Strategic Impact: The recent failures have primarily affected strategic and national security payloads, including the NavIC navigation constellation and DRDO surveillance satellites.
Commercial Decline: India’s share of the global small-satellite launch market reportedly fell from 35% in 2017 to nearly zero by 2024–2025 as commercial clients shifted toward more reliable providers like SpaceX.
Direct Costs: PSLV-C61/EOS-09: Rs 450-500 crore (sat + vehicle). PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 + payloads: Rs 650-750 crore. Cumulative for five failures: Rs 2,200-2,800 crore (~$265-335 million), per ISRO audits and CAG reports—equivalent to 15 percent of ISRO’s 2025-26 budget (Rs 24,000 crore).
Opportunity Losses: Foreign rideshares generated $100+ million historically (e.g., PSLV-C56: $25 million). Recent flops have canceled Nepal/Brazil contracts, projecting $50-70 million revenue hit in FY26 (NSIL filings). Delays in DRDO border-survey assets weaken real-time ISR amid LAC tensions.
Strategic Fallout: Dual-use tech credibility eroded if PSLV Stage 3 falters, parallel issues loom for Agni-series missiles (same solid-fuel tech). Pakistan’s SUPARCO/China partnerships highlight India’s lag, as noted in SIPRI 2025 space security reports.
These back-to-back failures underscore govt overreach on ISRO’s PSLV amid privatization (e.g., Skyroot/Agnikul contracts), risking India’s $8 billion space economy ambitions by 2030.
The Modi government’s reckless privatization push has saddled ISRO with rushed PSLV launches, racking up five failures that cost India Rs 2,500 crore and humiliated the nation with lost foreign payloads from Nepal, Brazil, and Europe.
