Six slow months later, ISRO is trying to reset satellite launches

The performance of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in the first half of 2026 is nothing to write home about, with only one launch in January, the PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 mission, ending in failure.

On the positive side, however, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) anomaly appears to have been resolved as the space agency prepares for a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission in July, followed by PSLV in the coming months.

Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said the anomaly in the PSLV, which suffered two failures, has been resolved.

On 12 January 2026, the PSLV-C62 mission carrying the Earth observation satellite EOS-N1 failed to complete its intended trajectory after an anomaly was detected at the end of the third stage of the launch vehicle, and on 18 May 2025, when ISRO attempted to launch the EOS-09 satellite aboard PSLV-C61, PSLV-C61 failed to complete the mission. It was also due to an anomaly in the rocket’s third stage.

The Union Minister said that a national-level expert committee constituted to review the reason for the anomaly in the PSLV submitted its report and the anomaly has been identified.

BRICS HOSA 2026

India also hosted the BRICS Heads of Space Agencies (HOSA) 2026 meeting in Bengaluru, which brought together the heads and senior officials of the space agencies of the BRICS member countries — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

According to ISRO, the BRICS Space Agency Leaders’ Meeting resulted in significant progress on structural and operational frameworks for space cooperation, including an amendment to the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation Agreement, which includes the new BRICS members.

In addition, the terms for the proposed BRICS Space Council were discussed in detail, signifying a continued commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation among member states.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France, a letter of intent was signed between ISRO and the French space agency CNES regarding cooperation in microgravity research and human space exploration.

ISRO also conducted a successful hot test of the PHTA (Semi-Cryogenic Engine Power Head Test Article) at a thrust level of 175 tonnes at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.

The space agency said the test went as predicted and all engine parameters were as expected. This test is said to have given enough confidence to demonstrate the steady performance of the engine drive head at a thrust level of 200 tons (100%) and also achieved a significant milestone in the domestic development of semi-cryogenic engines.

Vikram-1 first test flight

India’s first privately developed orbital class rocket is ready for its first launch.

Private space company Skyroot Aerospace has announced that the launch window for Vikram-1’s first test flight, named Misison Aagaman, is between July 12 and August 4.

Test Flight-1 is targeted for July 12 at the earliest, subject to the completion of assembly and test operations at the launch site at the Satish Dhwan Space Center in Sriharikota and weather, safety and range clearances, and that the window is extended to August 4.

IN-SPACe opens LVM3

India’s National Space Support and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) further opened its doors to the private sector and issued an Expression of Interest for Technology Transfer for ISRO’s heaviest rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3). In the announcement, IN-SPACe said it has taken the initiative to transfer the LVM3 technology for the comprehensive implementation, operation and commercialization of launch vehicles by suitable private industry.

To ensure seamless technology absorption, ISRO will provide infrastructural and manual support for a period of 42 months or till the realization and commercialization of the two LVM3 vehicles by the selected party, whichever is earlier.

IN-SPACE has also selected three Indian space startups, Astrobase Space Technologies, SatSure Analytics India and TM2SPACE Technologies as the first set of Indian Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) for funding under its Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) scheme.

TAF is designed to support Indian industry in absorbing, adapting and commercializing advanced space technologies, bridging the gap between research and operational deployment.

These three startups have been selected for financial support to develop transformative space technologies aimed at strengthening India’s indigenous capabilities and increasing its global competitiveness in the space sector.

Bellatrix has teamed up with South Korea’s TelePIX

Space startup Bellatrix Aerospace will assist South Korean space company TelePIX in its upcoming VLEO (Very Low Earth Orbit) satellite mission.

TelePIX and Bellatrix will develop a custom VLEO Earth observation satellite around the Choulette payload, focused on securing high-quality geospatial data.

As part of the partnership, the Chouette TelePIX high-resolution broadband optical payload will be integrated with Bellatrix Aerospace’s Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) VLEO satellite platform. The companies plan to launch in 2028.

Red Balloon Aerospace Private Limited, India’s first near-space startup, and Bazoomq Space Research Laboratory, a private space research organization based in Armenia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly advance near-space test campaigns, payload platform integration, atmospheric research and on-board AI development.

Arunachal’s glacial lakes are shifting: a satellite study

A study on glacial lakes in Arunachal Pradesh by Geospatial Intelligence, a private company, has revealed the changing behavior of glacial lakes in the state.

A satellite assessment by Suhora Technologies has revealed the changing behavior of five potentially dangerous glacial lakes in the Mago Chu Basin.

Using high-resolution multi-sensor imagery from ICEYE, PlanetScope and LISS-IV, Suhora performed a comparative analysis of five potentially dangerous glacial lakes that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has identified as high risk. The assessment examined changes in their spatial extent and current status through satellite observations between 2016 and June 2026.

hemanth.cs@thehindu.co.in

Published – 03 Jul 2026 14:05 IST