Subhechcha Ganguly 
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday successfully launched its first space mission of 2026, with the PSLV-C62 rocket lifting off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at approximately 10:18 AM IST. The mission carried the primary Earth-observation satellite EOS-N1 (also known as Anvesha) along with 14 co-passenger satellites for both domestic and international customers.
The mission marks the 64th flight of the PSLV launch vehicle, reaffirming its role as ISRO’s reliable workhorse. It also represents a key moment in India’s space calendar, opening the year with a complex deployment that tests new technologies including in-orbit re-entry demonstrations.
ISRO scientists plan to initiate a controlled restart of the fourth stage (PS4) after satellite separation to place the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) capsule on a re-entry trajectory over the South Pacific Ocean.
While the lift-off was confirmed, officials have noted that confirmation of successful satellite deployment from the mission’s payload is still pending, and orbit insertion data is being analyzed.
The mission underscores India’s growing capabilities in space technology, including commercial satellite launches and advanced payload demonstrations for applications in Earth observation, artificial intelligence, and orbital research.
