ISRO's PSLV Rocket Fails Again: 16 Satellites Lost, Second Consecutive Setback

• ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission, carrying 16 satellites including EOS-N1, encountered a malfunction during its third stage after launching from Sriharikota.
• This marks the second consecutive setback for ISRO's PSLV, following an unsuccessful launch in 2025, also due to a third-stage failure.
• ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan stated the mission did not proceed on its expected path, though he refrained from declaring it a success or failure.
• The mission included satellites from Brazil, Nepal, the UK, and seven from Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space, impacting international partners and Indian startups.
• A confirmed failure would be the fifth for PSLV in 64 launches, raising concerns for India's commercial space ambitions and the upcoming industry-made PSLV.

Why It Matters: ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission faced a critical third-stage malfunction, jeopardizing 16 satellites and impacting India's space program.