The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is ready to begin the New Year with an important space mission. On Monday, January 12, 2026, ISRO will launch the PSLV-C62 rocket from the Sriharikota spaceport. The mission will carry a powerful surveillance satellite, EOS-N1, along with 18 other payloads.
This launch marks ISRO’s first mission of 2026 and is being seen as a key moment for India’s space programme.
📌 Mission Overview
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Mission Name: PSLV-C62
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Launch Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
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Launch Time: 10:17 AM IST
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Launch Site: First Launch Pad, Sriharikota
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Primary Payload: EOS-N1 (Codename: Anvesha)
The PSLV rocket will place all payloads into their planned orbits using ISRO’s trusted launch vehicle.
🛰️ EOS-N1 (Anvesha): India’s New “Eye in the Sky”
The main satellite on the mission is EOS-N1, an advanced earth observation satellite often described as another “eye in the sky.” It has been developed mainly for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
EOS-N1 uses hyperspectral imaging technology, which allows it to observe the Earth in hundreds of wavelengths. This helps in identifying objects and materials on the ground with high accuracy.
🔍 Purpose and Uses of EOS-N1
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Strengthening India’s border surveillance
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Enhancing national security from space
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Supporting defence and intelligence operations
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Helping in agriculture monitoring
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Assisting urban mapping and environmental studies
Because of its advanced capabilities, EOS-N1 is considered a high-value satellite for India.
🧪 Secondary Payloads: 18 Additional Satellites
Along with EOS-N1, the PSLV-C62 mission will carry 18 secondary payloads, showing strong international cooperation and India’s growing startup ecosystem.
🌍 European Payload
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Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID):
A demonstrator satellite developed in collaboration with a Spanish startup. It includes an experimental re-entry capsule, which will test future space recovery technologies.
🇮🇳 Indian Startup and University CubeSats
Several Indian startups and universities are also part of the mission, including:
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AayulSAT by OrbitAID – India’s first on-orbit satellite refuelling payload
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CGUSAT-1 by CV Raman Global University
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DA-1 by Dhruva Space
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SR-2 by Space Kidz India
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Lachit-1 by Assam Don Bosco University
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Solaras-S4 by Akshath Aerospace
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DSAT-1 by Dayanand Sagar University
These payloads highlight innovation by Indian students, researchers, and private space companies.
🔁 Why This Mission Is Important for ISRO
The PSLV-C62 mission is especially important as it comes after the PSLV-C61 failure in May 2025. That mission failed due to a technical issue in the third stage of the rocket, where a drop in chamber pressure prevented the satellite from reaching its planned sun-synchronous polar orbit.
With PSLV-C62, ISRO aims to prove the reliability of the PSLV rocket once again.
✨ Conclusion
The PSLV-C62 mission is a strong and confident start for ISRO in 2026. With the launch of the EOS-N1 surveillance satellite and multiple secondary payloads, the mission supports national security, scientific research, and innovation in India’s growing space sector. As the countdown begins, all eyes will be on Sriharikota as ISRO ushers in the New Year with ambition and determination.