16 satellites: PSLV ready to reach space: Launch tomorrow from Sriharikota

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ISRO's first launch of 2026 is tomorrow. PSLV-C62 will lift off from Sriharikota at 10.17 am with 16 satellites, including India's defence satellite EOSN-1 (Anvesha). This is the first time that PSLV is preparing for a launch after its unexpected failure on May 18 last year. The PSLV-DL variant with two solid strap-on motors is being used this time.

Anvesha is a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite developed by DRDO. There are also the AYULSAT satellite, developed by Bengaluru-based Orbit Aerospace and capable of in-space refuelling; the MOI-1, built by Hyderabad-based TakeMe2Space (TM2Space) and EON Space; and the Indo-Mauritius joint satellite. The MOI-1 is a satellite capable of imaging the Earth through AI data processing and demonstrating next-generation edge computing in orbit.

One satellite will return

The Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) satellite of Orbital Paradigm from Spain will be the last to separate from the rocket. Immediately after separation, it will deorbit and return to Earth. It will fall into the South Pacific Ocean. It will later be recovered. The test paves the way for low-cost recovery systems.