Tue Jan 13 15:13:00 UTC 2026: ### Against All Odds: Startup’s Capsule Transmits Data Despite PSLV-C62 Mission Failure

The Story:

A failed PSLV-C62 mission, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday, initially appeared to have resulted in the loss of its entire payload, including the crucial Anvesha surveillance satellite. However, Spanish startup Orbital Paradigm revealed on Tuesday that its ‘Kestrel Initial Demonstrator’ (KID) capsule managed to separate from the spacecraft and transmit data. This unexpected success provides a glimmer of hope amidst the overall mission failure. The mission marked ISRO’s first of 2026.

Orbital Paradigm aims to provide frequent, efficient, and accessible flights from orbit to Earth, focusing on developing capsules that can withstand atmospheric re-entry. The KID capsule served as a technology demonstrator for their proposed ‘Kernel’ vehicle, designed to carry up to 120 kg of payload back to Earth. While the fate of the other 15 satellites remains unconfirmed after the failed launch from Sriharikota, the KID’s partial success presents a positive development.

Key Points:

  • The PSLV-C62 mission, ISRO’s first of 2026, suffered a failure during its third stage.
  • The mission’s payload included 15 satellites, including the EOS-N1 earth observation satellite and the Anvesha surveillance satellite developed by DRDO.
  • Spanish startup Orbital Paradigm’s KID capsule separated from the spacecraft and transmitted data despite the mission failure.
  • The KID capsule is a technology demonstrator for Orbital Paradigm’s ‘Kernel’ vehicle, aimed at enabling low-cost cargo trips from space to Earth.
  • ISRO Chairman V Narayanan attributed the failure to disturbances and deviations observed during the third stage when strap-on motors were providing thrust.

Key Takeaways:

  • Space missions are inherently risky, and failures can occur despite careful planning.
  • The success of the KID capsule highlights the potential for innovation and resilience in the space industry.
  • The incident underscores the importance of redundancy and independent systems in space missions.
  • Atmospheric re-entry remains a complex engineering challenge, necessitating ongoing research and development.
  • Even in the face of overall mission failure, individual components can still achieve success and provide valuable data.

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