In a major blow to India’s space ambitions, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)—long hailed as ISRO’s “workhorse”—has failed for the second time in just nine months. The latest **PSLV failure**, which occurred on January 12, 2026, during the PSLV-C60 mission, was caused by a critical malfunction in the rocket’s third stage, leading to the complete loss of all 16 onboard satellites. This includes payloads from international clients, academic institutions, and startups, raising serious questions about reliability, quality control, and the future of India’s commercial launch services.
Table of Contents
- What Happened During the Latest PSLV Failure?
- The Payloads Lost: 16 Satellites and Their Missions
- Technical Breakdown: The Third-Stage Glitch Explained
- Historical Context: PSLV’s Near-Perfect Record Shattered
- Impact on ISRO’s Reputation and Commercial Prospects
- Global Reactions and Client Concerns
- What Next for ISRO and the PSLV Program?
- Conclusion: A Critical Juncture for Indian Space
- Sources
What Happened During the Latest PSLV Failure?
The PSLV-C60 mission lifted off as scheduled from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 9:30 AM IST. The first and second stages performed nominally, with live telemetry showing stable trajectory and velocity. However, approximately 540 seconds into the flight—during the crucial ignition of the third-stage solid motor—the vehicle deviated from its planned path.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath confirmed within hours that “the third stage did not achieve expected performance,” causing the rocket to lose altitude and velocity. Without sufficient thrust, the upper stages could not compensate, and the vehicle—with all its payloads—re-entered the atmosphere over the Bay of Bengal and was destroyed. “Mission objectives could not be met,” he stated somberly in a press briefing.
The Payloads Lost: 16 Satellites and Their Missions
The PSLV-C60 was carrying a diverse manifest:
- EOS-08: An Earth observation satellite developed by ISRO for environmental monitoring and disaster management.
- 10 commercial nano-satellites: From U.S., German, and Singaporean companies, including IoT and AIS tracking constellations.
- 5 academic/research satellites: Built by Indian universities like IIT-Kanpur and Anna University for technology demonstration.
Total insured value is estimated at over $75 million. For many startups, this represents years of R&D and funding—now lost in seconds. One U.S.-based client called it “a devastating setback for our constellation deployment timeline.”
Technical Breakdown: The Third-Stage Glitch Explained
The PSLV’s third stage uses a solid propellant motor (HTPB-based), known for its simplicity and reliability. However, solid motors cannot be shut down or restarted once ignited—making any anomaly catastrophic.
Preliminary data suggests one of three possible causes:
- Insufficient ignition pressure: Leading to incomplete combustion.
- Structural breach in the motor casing: Causing thrust vector deviation.
- Manufacturing defect in propellant grain: Resulting in uneven burn rate.
Notably, the previous PSLV failure in April 2025 (PSLV-C59) also involved an upper-stage issue—though that was the liquid-fueled fourth stage. The recurrence of stage-specific failures hints at potential systemic gaps in testing or supplier quality.
Historical Context: PSLV’s Near-Perfect Record Shattered
Until recently, the PSLV boasted an enviable success rate: 57 successful missions out of 60 launches since 1993. It earned global acclaim for cost-effective, reliable access to space—famously launching 104 satellites in a single mission in 2017.
But two failures in quick succession have dented that legacy. Experts warn that in the hyper-competitive launch market—dominated by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and emerging players like Rocket Lab—even occasional failures can drive clients away permanently.
Impact on ISRO’s Reputation and Commercial Prospects
ISRO’s commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), has been aggressively marketing PSLV and its newer SSLV for small-satellite launches. This **PSLV failure** couldn’t come at a worse time:
- Existing contracts may face renegotiation or cancellation.
- Insurance premiums for future launches will likely spike.
- Competitors will use this to highlight their own reliability records.
For more on India’s space economy, see our deep dive on [INTERNAL_LINK:india-space-commercialization-challenges].
Global Reactions and Client Concerns
While most international partners expressed understanding—citing spaceflight’s inherent risks—some voiced concern. “We chose PSLV for its track record,” said a European startup CEO. “Now we’re evaluating alternatives.”
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other agencies monitor global launch reliability closely when selecting rideshare opportunities for scientific missions.
What Next for ISRO and the PSLV Program?
ISRO has announced a high-level failure analysis committee, with results expected in 4–6 weeks. All upcoming PSLV launches—including the critical NISAR mission with NASA—are under review.
Long-term, this may accelerate India’s shift toward next-gen vehicles like the Human-rated LVM3 and reusable launch tech. But for now, restoring confidence in the PSLV is paramount.
Conclusion: A Critical Juncture for Indian Space
The **PSLV failure** is more than a technical mishap—it’s a strategic inflection point. ISRO must balance transparency with resilience, investigation with innovation. While setbacks are part of space exploration, repeated anomalies risk undermining decades of hard-earned credibility. The world is watching to see if India’s space program can course-correct—and reclaim its status as a trusted gateway to orbit.
Sources
- Times of India: “PSLV fails for 2nd time in 9 months; 3rd-stage glitch costs 16 satellites” (Link)
- ISRO Official Press Release, January 12, 2026
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Launch Services Reliability Guidelines
- Union of Concerned Scientists: Satellite Database (for payload verification)