ISRO Kicks Off 2026 with “Anvesha” Success

On January 12, 2026, ISRO launched its first mission of the year, PSLV-C62, carrying the advanced Anvesha (EOS-N1) satellite.¹ While the launch began with great fanfare from Sriharikota, the mission has become a major talking point due to a technical anomaly during the final stages of the flight.²+1

Here is the full breakdown of the “Anvesha” mission and its current status.

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The Mission Profile

• Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C62 (in the DL variant with two solid strap-on motors).³
• Primary Payload: Anvesha (EOS-N1), a 400-kg hyperspectral imaging satellite.⁴
• Co-passengers: 15–18 smaller satellites from India and abroad (including 7 from Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space and the AayulSAT refueling demonstrator).⁵
• Target Orbit: Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of ~505 km.⁶

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The Headline: “Anvesha” – India’s New Hyperspectral Spy

Developed by the DRDO, Anvesha is not a typical imaging satellite.⁷ It is equipped with Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) technology, which allows it to see the world in hundreds of narrow light bands invisible to the human eye.⁸+1

• The “Camouflage Buster”: It can distinguish between natural green vegetation and green-painted military camouflage by analyzing their unique spectral “fingerprints.”⁹
• Strategic Value: It is designed for high-resolution surveillance along borders, tracking troop movements, and detecting hidden assets with 12-meter precision.¹⁰
• Civilian Use: Beyond defense, it assists in “Smart Farming” by detecting early-stage crop diseases and identifying soil mineral compositions.¹¹

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The Anomaly: Success or Setback?

While initial reports celebrated a successful liftoff, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan later confirmed a technical disturbance during the third stage (PS3) of the rocket’s ascent.¹²

• What Happened: Telemetry indicated increased “roll rates” (unintended spinning) and a deviation in the flight path after the second stage separated.¹³
• The Result: Onboard footage showed the vehicle and its payloads tumbling. While the satellites were deployed, they may not have reached their intended precise orbits.¹⁴
• The Investigation: ISRO has formed a Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) to investigate why the PSLV’s third stage—traditionally its most reliable component—encountered issues for the second consecutive time (following the PSLV-C61 anomaly in 2025).¹⁵

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Private Sector Milestones

Despite the orbital uncertainty, the mission was a landmark for India’s private space ecosystem:

• Dhruva Space: Successfully integrated 7 to 9 of its systems, demonstrating the rapid scaling of Indian space startups.
• AayulSAT (OrbitAID): Attempted to validate on-orbit refueling technology, a critical step for extending the life of future satellites and supporting the Gaganyaan mission.¹⁶
• International Ties: The mission carried payloads from Mauritius, Spain, and Brazil, reinforcing India’s status as a global “rideshare” hub for small satellites.¹⁷

“Anvesha represents a shift from ISRO-led missions to a cooperative ecosystem where DRDO provides the muscle, and the private sector provides the innovation.”¹⁸ — Aerospace Analyst, Jan 2026¹⁹+1

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