ISRO’s PSLV-C62 launches EOS-N1, 14 other payloads

In its first mission of 2026, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday successfully launched the earth observation satellite EOS-N1 along with 15 co-passenger satellites aboard the PSLV-C62 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) lifted off from the first launchpad at 10.17 am. The mission marked the ninth dedicated commercial flight of the PSLV undertaken by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), underscoring India’s growing role in the global commercial launch market.
The launch also highlighted the increasing participation of private players in India’s space ecosystem. Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space contributed five satellites to the mission, while Indian firms Laxman Gyanpith and OrbitAid flew one satellite each.Of the remaining eight co-passenger satellites, five belonged to Brazil’s AltoSpace. The others included one satellite each from the UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), Antharkshya Pratishtan of Nepal in collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Spain’s Orbital Paradigm, and France’s RIDE.
PSLV-C62 flew in the PSLV-DL configuration, equipped with two solid strap-on motors. A key highlight of the mission was the demonstration of the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID), developed by a Spanish startup. The KID is a small-scale prototype of a re-entry vehicle and was the final co-passenger to be deployed.“The KID will be the last co-passenger to be injected, after which it is slated to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere towards splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean,” ISRO said in a statement.Following the injection of EOS-N1 and 14 satellites, the PS4 stage of the launch vehicle was re-started to de-boost and enter a re-entry trajectory. This was followed by the separation of the KID capsule. Both the PS4 stage and the KID capsule are expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and impact in the South Pacific Ocean.
EOS-N1, also referred to in mission documentation as EOS-1 or Anvesha, is an advanced earth observation satellite designed to provide high-resolution imaging capabilities, strengthening India’s remote sensing and surveillance applications.PSLV, regarded as ISRO’s workhorse launch vehicle, has completed 63 flights so far and has been used for several landmark missions, including Chandrayaan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1 and AstroSat. In 2017, PSLV created a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission.