ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission failed: Anvesha satellite and 15 others feared lost after launch anomaly
India’s space program faces a setback as ISRO’s first launch of 2026, the PSLV-C62 mission, has suffered a critical failure. While liftoff was successful, an anomaly was detected during the burn of the third stage (PS3), causing a deviation in flight. The primary payload of the mission, ‘Anwesha’ earth observation satellite developed by DRDO, is now feared lost. Apart from Anwesha, the mission was also carrying 15 other satellites from several countries, including the UK, Nepal and Brazil, as well as payloads from Indian start-ups like Dhruv Space and Orbit Aid. The incident raises concerns as it follows the failure of the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025, which was also lost due to technical issues. A detailed analysis of the failure of PSLV-C62 has been initiated by the space agency.
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India-Germany relations: PM Modi, Chancellor Merz discuss trade, defense and technology
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, marking a significant moment in India-Germany relations. The visit focuses on strengthening the 25-year strategic partnership between the two countries. According to India Today’s Pranay Upadhyay, it is a meeting between the world’s third and fourth largest economies that aims to expand cooperation ‘from agriculture to auto sector, dairy to defence’. The discussions will focus on enhancing the existing $51 billion bilateral trade, technical cooperation in clean energy and defence, and geopolitical issues. The leaders also addressed a CEO Forum at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, emphasizing the strong economic and investment agenda of the visit.
ISRO makes 2026 a strong start: PSLV-C62 successfully launches surveillance satellite Anveshaa
India’s space program marks a major milestone with the first launch in 2026, as the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully sent the PSLV-C62 rocket into orbit from Sriharikota. The mission represents a significant comeback for the PSLV, which has been described as ISRO’s ‘reliable workhorse’ after an aborted mission in 2025. The primary payload is Anvesha, a powerful surveillance satellite designed to track troop movements, terrain changes and crop patterns with high precision. The broadcast captured the ‘majestic flight’, calling it ‘a roaring 2026 comeback for the hero PSLV rocket’, confirming India’s growing space dominance. The launch also includes several other small satellites, making it a ‘Indian-foreign combo space launch’ and showcasing India’s growing capabilities in space exploration and satellite deployment.
2026 begins with PSLV-C62: ISRO’s first indigenous-foreign satellite combo lift-off
India is celebrating the successful launch of PSLV-C62, which marks ISRO’s first indigenous-foreign satellite collaboration of 2026. The vehicle carries 17 satellites, including Anvesha, the advanced Earth observation satellite, described as ‘India’s Hawkeye in space’ for its surveillance capabilities in tracking troop movements, terrain changes and crop patterns with high accuracy. The transcript highlights that ‘the important aspect here is the first and primary satellite is an Earth observation satellite called Anvesha,’ designed and built by DRDO. The launch underlines ISRO’s growing space dominance using the PSLV workhorse from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The bulletin also mentioned piggyback satellites, such as the KID mission, which broaden international cooperation in space research and technology.
PSLV launch: Anvesha satellite is India’s ‘Hawkeye in space’ for border surveillance
In this special report, India Today covers the ‘Desi-Videshi’ flight from Sriharikota, ISRO’s first major space mission of 2026. The PSLV rocket successfully launched 17 satellites, the primary payload of which was Anvesha, an advanced Earth observation satellite developed by DRDO. According to Pramod Madhav of India Today, this satellite is ‘a very important Hawkeye which will help us in maintaining our borders, help us in case we need any kind of assistance during any kind of calamity or disaster etc.’ The mission also deployed 16 other satellites, including the re-entry vehicle demonstrator for the KID mission, a Spanish startup. The launch is an important step towards enhancing India’s space programme, its surveillance capabilities and promoting international space cooperation.