ISRO Set to Launch EOS-N1 Satellite on January 12 in First Mission of 2026

New Delhi, Jan 2026 : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to begin its 2026 launch calendar with the deployment of the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite aboard the PSLV-C62 rocket on January 12. The mission, scheduled to lift off at 10:17 am from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marks the first space mission of the year for India.

EOS-N1, also known as Anvesha, is a next-generation Earth observation satellite aimed at significantly enhancing India’s remote sensing capabilities. Designed to support a wide range of civilian and developmental applications, the satellite will provide critical data for agriculture planning, urban and infrastructure mapping, disaster management, and environmental monitoring. With improved imaging and data-gathering capabilities, EOS-N1 is expected to strengthen India’s ability to monitor natural resources and respond to environmental challenges more effectively.

ISRO said that the integration of the launch vehicle and satellites has been completed successfully and that pre-launch checks are currently underway. In addition to the primary satellite, the PSLV-C62 mission will carry 15 co-passenger payloads, making it a major multi-satellite deployment and underscoring India’s growing role in cost-effective commercial launches.

Among the co-passenger payloads is the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID), developed by a Spanish startup. ISRO noted that KID is a small-scale prototype of a re-entry vehicle and represents an important technology demonstration. The KID payload will be the final satellite to be deployed during the mission and is designed to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, eventually splashing down in the South Pacific Ocean.

The PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission is the ninth dedicated commercial mission undertaken by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm. It will also mark the 64th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the fifth mission using the PSLV-DL configuration, which features two solid strap-on motors.

Over the years, PSLV has established itself as one of the world’s most reliable launch vehicles, having successfully completed 63 missions. It has played a key role in landmark Indian space missions, including Chandrayaan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1, and Astrosat. In 2017, PSLV created history by launching 104 satellites in a single mission, setting a global record.

The upcoming launch follows ISRO’s PSLV-C61 mission in May, which aimed to deploy the EOS-09 satellite. While the initial phases of that mission were successful, a technical issue in the third stage prevented the satellite from reaching its intended orbit. With PSLV-C62, ISRO will be looking to begin 2026 on a strong and confident note, reinforcing India’s position as a leading spacefaring nation.

Team Maverick.