ISRO is preparing for a crucial Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission by late June or early July 2026, aiming to restore confidence in its most reliable rocket after two consecutive failures in May 2025 and January 2026.
The upcoming launch will be closely watched as the agency has switched vendors for critical components and is determined to re-establish PSLV’s credibility.
The Indian Space Research Organisation has faced a challenging period with back-to-back failures of its workhorse PSLV. In May 2025, the rocket failed to inject the Earth observation satellite EOS-09 into orbit.
This was followed by another setback in January 2026 when the PSLV was unable to place EOS-N1 into its intended orbit. Both failures occurred during the third stage of the rocket, a phase critical for orbital insertion.
Officials have indicated that the problems were linked to components not manufactured by ISRO itself. To address this, the agency has changed the vendor supplying those parts for future missions. While the findings of the failure assessment committee have not been made public, ISRO has maintained that the two failures were caused by separate technical faults rather than systemic issues.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh confirmed that the next PSLV launch is planned for the end of June or early July, marking a significant comeback attempt.
The credibility of PSLV is vital for India’s space program. Historically, PSLV has been ISRO’s most reliable launch vehicle, with a success rate exceeding 90 per cent. Its failures have raised concerns among domestic and international customers, but Singh has emphasised that foreign clients have not withdrawn their payloads, signalling continued trust in ISRO’s capabilities. The upcoming mission is therefore expected to play a pivotal role in restoring confidence.
In parallel, India’s private space sector is advancing rapidly. Skyroot Aerospace is preparing for its first orbital launch with the Vikram-I rocket. The payload fairing, which houses satellites during launch, was transported to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in April 2026. This milestone underscores the growing role of private companies in India’s space ecosystem, complementing ISRO’s efforts.
Beyond PSLV, ISRO’s primary focus remains the ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. Singh noted that the mission was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced astronauts under training in Russia to return to India.
The agency now hopes to complete all test flights before the end of 2026. At least two uncrewed orbital missions are required before India can attempt its first crewed flight. A sub-orbital test may also be conducted if necessary. These steps are essential to ensure astronaut safety and mission success.
The upcoming PSLV launch is more than just another mission. It represents a test of ISRO’s resilience and engineering capability after setbacks. Success would reaffirm PSLV’s status as a dependable vehicle and bolster India’s credibility in the global space market. With 18 launches scheduled for 2026, including several private missions, ISRO is determined to demonstrate that its setbacks are temporary and that its long-term trajectory remains strong.
Agencies
