The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) experienced a significant setback on January 12, 2026, as its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) mission failed to achieve its intended orbit. The rocket, carrying 16 satellites, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, but an anomaly was detected during the operation of its third stage. According to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, while the initial flight stages were nominal, the third stage (PS3) failed to provide the required thrust due to an unexpected drop in chamber pressure, causing the vehicle to deviate from its flight path and lose control. Consequently, the primary payload, Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) strategic Earth Observation Satellite EOS-N1, also known as 'Anvesha,' and 15 other co-passenger satellites are feared lost. These co-passenger satellites included payloads from various Indian startups, academic institutions, and international customers from countries such as the UK, Nepal, Brazil, Spain, and France. This incident marks the second consecutive mission failure for the PSLV, following a similar third-stage anomaly that led to the loss of the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025. The repeated failures of ISRO's 'workhorse' rocket raise concerns for India's space program and its growing commercial launch services, prompting a detailed analysis to determine the root cause.