ISRO's PSLV Fails Twice: C62 Mission Aborted, 400 Crore Loss, Reputation Hit

• The PSLV-C62 mission, launched on January 12, 2026, from Sriharikota, failed due to an anomaly in the rocket's third stage.
• This marks the second consecutive failure for ISRO's 'reliable' PSLV rocket, following the PSLV-C61 mission on May 18, 2025.
• The PSLV-C62 mission aimed to deploy DRDO's 'Anvesha' hyperspectral imaging satellite and 15 other satellites, including those from Thailand and the UK.
• The failure is attributed to a structural or material defect in the third stage's nozzle or casing, causing a chamber pressure drop and mission abort.
• ISRO faces an estimated financial loss of over 300-400 crore rupees, including manufacturing costs and potential compensation for foreign satellites, impacting its commercial reputation.

Why It Matters: ISRO's PSLV rocket suffered its second consecutive failure, leading to significant financial and reputational setbacks.