Mon Jan 12 18:50:00 UTC 2026: # PSLV Failures Raise Concerns About ISRO’s Quality Assurance and Transparency

The Story:
On January 12, 2026, the PSLV-C62 mission failed shortly after launch from Sriharikota due to an anomaly in its third stage. This failure echoes the PSLV-C61 mission failure in May 2025, which also involved a third-stage malfunction. The article highlights concerns about quality assurance at ISRO and a lack of transparency, particularly regarding the classified Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report for the C61 mission. The failures pose a strategic embarrassment for India, potentially increasing insurance premiums for PSLV launches and undermining its position in the competitive global launch market.

Key Points:

  • The PSLV-C62 mission failed due to a third-stage anomaly, similar to the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025.
  • ISRO did not publicly reveal the root cause of the C61 failure, keeping the FAC report with the Prime Minister’s Office.
  • The symptom of the C62 failure, a “roll rate disturbance,” is similar to events preceding the C61 failure.
  • The PSLV is being positioned as a commercial product, and these failures could negatively impact insurance premiums and competitiveness.
  • The C62 mission carried the EOS-N1 satellite, built by DRDO, for “unspecified strategic applications.”
  • ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan is criticized for a shift away from scientific openness and a perceived rush to launch despite the unresolved C61 failure.

Critical Analysis:
The historical context provided (“All About 16 Satellites Lost In Space After Setback For ISRO Workhorse PSLV”) strongly suggests a link between the current failure and the previous failure. While one could point to any number of causes for a launch failure, the fact that this is at least the second launch anomaly in less than a year involving the PSLV, a reliable workhorse for the organization for decades, suggests a systematic issue rather than isolated incidents. The news article highlights the move away from scientific openness and suggests a rush in launching a mission carrying a strategic satellite. The previous article’s reporting on lost satellites also adds more weight to the potential impact this event has on the global space market.

Key Takeaways:

  • The repeated PSLV failures point to potential systemic issues within ISRO’s quality assurance protocols.
  • The lack of transparency regarding the C61 failure is undermining confidence in ISRO.
  • The commercial viability of the PSLV is at risk due to increased insurance premiums and reputational damage.
  • Balancing launch cadence with thorough investigation of failures is crucial for maintaining reliability.
  • Public release of the C61 FAC report is essential for restoring confidence and addressing underlying issues.

Impact Analysis:

These PSLV failures could have significant long-term implications for India’s space program and its ambitions in the global space market. The increased insurance premiums will make the PSLV less competitive, potentially losing business to other launch providers. Furthermore, the strategic embarrassment could damage India’s reputation as a reliable spacefaring nation. Domestically, the failures could lead to increased scrutiny of ISRO’s management and a re-evaluation of its priorities, potentially impacting funding and future mission plans. The long-term effect will depend on how effectively ISRO addresses the underlying quality assurance issues and restores confidence in its launch capabilities. The success or failure of the LVM-3, in contrast to the PSLV, will likely become a key performance indicator for ISRO’s future.

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