After 2 consecutive failures, ISRO readies PSLV mission for June
03 Feb 2026

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for another attempt to launch its workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), in June.

This comes after two consecutive failures of the PSLV C61 and PSLV-C62 missions in May 2025 and January 2026, respectively.

Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed the new mission timeline while addressing a press conference on Monday.

Reasons behind PSLV failures different, says Singh
Clarification

Singh clarified that the reasons behind the two PSLV failures were different.

He compared it to an electric bulb, saying "Last time a bulb fused, this time there was a tripping outside."

He also dismissed any suspicion of sabotage as a reason for these consecutive failures in strategic missions.

Trust in ISRO remains intact internationally
Satellite malfunction

Not just the PSLV, but a navigation satellite, NVS-02, launched by ISRO last year also failed to reach its intended orbit. This was due to the malfunction of valves in the spacecraft's thrusters.

Despite these setbacks, Singh asserted that trust in ISRO and its launch vehicles remains intact among foreign customers who have plans to send satellites on ISRO rockets.

18 launches planned for this year
Launch confidence

Singh emphasized that despite the recent failures, ISRO has 18 launches planned for this year, including six private ones. None of these have been withdrawn, indicating continued trust in ISRO's capabilities.

He also revealed that next year three major foreign launches from Japan, the US, and France are scheduled with no signs of apprehension from these countries.

Investigation into PSLV failures ongoing
Ongoing probe

The investigation into the PSLV failures is still underway with an external team also involved.

However, none of the companies whose satellites were on board the failed rockets have expressed doubts about their reliability.

Singh said ISRO's Failure Analysis Committee report for the May mishap was sent to the Prime Minister's Office before the C-62 launch but has not been made public yet.