ISRO’s PSLV-C62 launches EOS-N1 Anvesha, India’s first big orbital push of 2026

From defence-grade Earth observation to on-orbit refuelling and an AI-powered space lab, PSLV-C62 delivers a landmark multi-satellite mission into Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday successfully launched its first major orbital mission of 2026, as the PSLV-C62 rocket lifted off from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 10:17 am IST. The mission placed 16 satellites into a Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit, underlining India’s growing strength in the global small-satellite launch sector.

The launch marked another precise performance by ISRO’s trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, often referred to as the agency’s “workhorse”. With this mission, ISRO not only executed a complex multi-satellite deployment but also showcased several next-generation space technologies developed by Indian research bodies and startups.

The primary payload of the mission was EOS-N1, an advanced Earth Observation Satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Named Anvesha, the satellite is equipped with cutting-edge hyperspectral imaging technology. Unlike conventional imaging systems, EOS-N1 captures data across hundreds of narrow and continuous light bands for every pixel, creating detailed spectral signatures. This capability enables precise monitoring of crop health, soil moisture, mineral resources, urban expansion and environmental changes with exceptional accuracy.

Also Read:Kohli’s 93 and Iyer’s comeback fifty power India to series-opening win in Baroda

A key highlight of the PSLV-C62 mission is AayulSAT, developed by Bengaluru-based startup OrbitAID Aerospace. The satellite serves as a technology demonstrator for India’s first on-orbit refuelling system. Traditionally, satellites become defunct once their fuel is exhausted. AayulSAT aims to overcome this limitation by testing a proprietary docking interface and fuel-transfer mechanism in microgravity. The experiment lays the foundation for future “orbital refuelling stations” that could significantly extend satellite lifespans and reduce space debris.

The mission also carried MOI-1, a satellite developed jointly by Hyderabad-based startups TakeMe2Space and Eon Space Labs. MOI-1 hosts India’s first orbital AI-image laboratory, processing data directly in space using edge computing. This approach drastically reduces data transmission delays, allowing near real-time analysis. The platform introduces the world’s first “space cybercafe”, enabling users to rent onboard processing time at $2 (around Rs 180) per minute, opening space-based computing to a wider global audience.

Integrated within MOI-1 is another breakthrough payload, MIRA, the world’s lightest space telescope. Weighing just 502 grams, MIRA has been developed by Eon Space Labs from a single solid block of fused silica glass. Its monolithic design ensures structural stability and optical precision, allowing it to remain perfectly focused despite intense launch vibrations. The seamless integration of MIRA with the AI laboratory creates a combined observation and processing unit in orbit.

Adding an international dimension to the mission, the satellite Munal from Nepal was also launched aboard PSLV-C62. Supported by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Munal is designed to map Nepal’s topography, reinforcing India’s role as a reliable space partner for neighbouring countries.

With the successful deployment of all payloads, the PSLV-C62 mission stands as a significant milestone for ISRO, combining national security, commercial innovation, startup-driven technology and international cooperation in a single launch.