The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to inaugurate its 2026 launch calendar with a significant commercial mission. The PSLV-C62 rocket will lift off from Sriharikota on January 12, carrying a primary Earth Observation Satellite built by Thailand and the United Kingdom, along with 14 other co-passenger payloads.
Mission Details and Countdown
Managed by ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the launch is scheduled for 10:17 AM from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The 25-hour countdown will begin a day prior, on January 11. This mission marks the 64th flight of the reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which has a storied history including the Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, and Aditya-L1 launches.
ISRO has confirmed that the integration of the launch vehicle and all satellites is complete, with pre-launch checks currently in progress. The primary payload, the EOS-N1 Earth Observation Satellite, will be accompanied by 13 other customer satellites from both domestic and international clients.
A Two-Phase Orbital Deployment
The mission profile is unique, with deployments spread over more than two hours. Approximately 17 minutes after liftoff, the primary satellite and its 13 co-passengers will be injected into their intended sun-synchronous orbit.
However, the mission's final phase involves a sophisticated technology demonstration. Scientists will restart the rocket's fourth stage (PS4) after the initial deployment. This maneuver will place the stage and the final co-passenger—the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) capsule from a Spanish startup—into a re-entry trajectory.
Re-Entry and Splashdown in the Pacific
Following separation, both the spent PS4 stage and the KID capsule will re-enter Earth's atmosphere. Their journey will conclude with a splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean, over two hours after the initial launch. This demonstration is a key part of the extended mission objectives.
This launch underscores ISRO's growing role in the global commercial space sector through NSIL, while continuing to support advanced technological experiments. The successful execution of this complex, multi-phase mission will set a confident tone for India's space activities in 2026.
