ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission set for 12 January launch, carrying EOS-N1 (Anvesha) and multiple co-passenger satellites
ISRO is scheduled to begin its 2026 launch calendar with PSLV-C62 on 12 January 2026 at 10:17 AM IST from Sriharikota. The mission will carry the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Earth-observation satellite and several co-passenger payloads, including an on-orbit refuelling experiment and a re-entry capsule demonstrator.
India’s space programme is set to open the year with a high-visibility mission as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepares the PSLV-C62 launch for 12 January 2026 at 10:17 AM IST. The flight is scheduled from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, and is positioned as a key early milestone for the national launch calendar.
What the PSLV-C62 mission will carry
The primary payload is EOS-N1, also referred to as Anvesha, an Earth-observation satellite intended to strengthen remote sensing capabilities for applications such as agriculture monitoring, urban mapping and environmental tracking. Alongside it, a large set of co-passenger payloads from India and overseas are slated to fly, making the mission a notable multi-satellite deployment.
Key technology demonstrations onboard
Among the co-passengers highlighted is AayulSAT, developed by Bengaluru-based OrbitAID Aerospace, described as an on-orbit refuelling mission—an area of growing interest globally as operators explore servicing, life-extension and more sustainable satellite operations. Another payload cited is MOI-1, a small satellite designed to support Earth imaging with onboard artificial intelligence data processing, showcasing edge computing concepts in orbit.
International collaboration element
The manifest also includes international components such as the Indo–Mauritius Joint Satellite (IMJS), reflecting cooperation between the two countries. Additionally, a Spanish startup’s re-entry capsule demonstrator is expected to test recovery concepts that could support low-cost retrieval for microgravity research and potential sample-return applications.
Why this launch is being closely watched
The report notes that the flight is framed as a return-to-service moment for the PSLV after a late-2025 setback, adding to the scrutiny around performance and reliability. ISRO also positioned PSLV-C62 as the first orbital launch of 2026 and the organisation’s 101st orbital attempt overall, giving it both technical and symbolic weight for the year ahead.