ISRO Launch Today: Countdown Begins for PSLV-C62 ‘Anvesha’ Mission (2026)
Today is a very big day for India and every space lover in the country. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set for its first big launch of the year 2026. The countdown is running, and in just a few hours, we will see the powerful PSLV rocket fly into the sky from Sriharikota.
Today, Monday, January 12, 2026, ISRO is launching the PSLV-C62 mission. The launch time is fixed at 10:18 AM IST (Indian Standard Time). The rocket will lift off from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
he PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 Mission is the 9th dedicated commercial mission undertaken by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) to build and launch the EOS-N1 earth observation satellite for a user along with providing launch services for 15 co-passenger satellites from domestic & international customers. This launch will use the PSLV-DL variant with two solid strap-on motors. This mission will be the 64th flight of PSLV.
PSLV is the workhorse launch vehicle of ISRO that has completed 63 flights including notable missions like Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1 and Astrosat Mission. In 2017, PSLV set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission.
This mission is not just a normal launch; it is a "comeback" mission. Remember the heartbreaking failure of the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025? After that technical problem, ISRO scientists have worked very hard to fix everything. Now, the "Workhorse of India," the PSLV rocket, is ready to roar again.
The Main Hero: EOS-N1 ‘Anvesha’ Satellite
The most important thing sitting on top of the rocket is the EOS-N1 satellite, which is also called ‘Anvesha’.
What is it?
It is an Earth Observation Satellite.
Who made it?
It was developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation).
What will it do?
This is a "Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite." In simple language, it is a very powerful camera that can see things on the ground in hundreds of different colors (wavelengths) that normal eyes cannot see.
Why do we need it?
It will act as a "Spy in the Sky" for India's defense. It can easily spot hidden objects, camouflage, and movement on the borders. It will also help in checking agriculture and forests.
This mission is like a "share auto" because the rocket is carrying 15 other small satellites along with Anvesha. Two of them are very special and you should know about them
1. AayulSAT (OrbitAID): This is a very cool experiment by an Indian startup. It is trying to test "Refueling in Space." Just like we fill petrol in our cars, they want to test if we can fill fuel in satellites while they are flying in space. If this works, satellites can live longer
2. KID (Kestrel Initial Demonstrator): This is from a Spanish company. It is a small capsule that will separate from the rocket and then come back to Earth and splash into the South Pacific Ocean. This is to test how things can survive the extreme heat when re-entering the atmosphere.
Why is This Launch So Important for 2026?
The year 2026 is going to be very busy for ISRO, and this launch sets the mood.
First, National Security. With Anvesha in space, our army and defense forces will get better data to keep the country safe. In today's geopolitical situation, having a sharp eye from above is very necessary.
Second, Trust in PSLV. After the failure last year, the whole world is watching. If today's launch is a success (which we are sure it will be!), it will prove that ISRO's PSLV is still the most reliable rocket in the world. This will bring more customers from other countries who want to launch their satellites with India.
Once the rocket lifts off at 10:18 AM, it will travel up into the sky.
- Around 17 minutes after launch, it will drop the main Anvesha satellite into its orbit.
- Then, it will drop the 15 smaller satellites one by one.
- The most interesting part will happen about 2 hours later. The 4th stage of the rocket (the top part) will restart its engine to help the Spanish 'KID' capsule drop back towards Earth.
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