‘Nothing Hidden From It’: DRDO’s Anvesha On PSLV-C62 – Here’s Is Why ISRO’s First Space Launch Of 2026 Is Called India’s Spy Satellite

PSLV-C62: ISRO is set to launch its first space mission of 2026 with the PSLV-C62 rocket, which will carry an advanced Earth observation satellite and 14 co-passenger satellites into orbit on Monday, January 12. The launch will take place from Sriharikota.

PSLV-C62 Launch

The countdown for the PSLV-C62 mission began Sunday afternoon. Reports from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) told agencies that the countdown started at 12:48 pm, with a duration of 22 hours and 30 minutes. The launch is scheduled for 10:18 am on Monday.

The 260-tonne PSLV-C62 rocket will deploy its primary payload, the EOS-N1 satellite, also known as Anvesha, into a polar sun-synchronous orbit a few hundred kilometres above Earth.

Also Read: ISRO Launches ‘Baahubali’ LVM3 Rocket Carrying Heaviest Ever Satellite BlueBird Block-2 Into Space: Why This Mission Is A Major Milestone

PSLV-C62: Mission Profile and Payloads

In addition to EOS-N1, the rocket will carry 14 co-passenger satellites arranged through ISRO’s commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd, from domestic and international customers. The mission will also feature an in-orbit demonstration of a re-entry capsule from a Spanish startup.

The deployment sequence is planned as follows:

The main Earth observation satellite will be deployed first.

The remaining co-passenger satellites will follow within 17 minutes of lift-off.

Over two hours after launch, ISRO scientists will restart the fourth stage to demonstrate de-boost and re-entry of the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator capsule (25 kg). Both the PS4 stage and capsule are expected to splash down in the South Pacific Ocean.

Significance of EOS-N1 (Anvesha)

At the centre of the mission is EOS-N1, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Nicknamed Anvesha, it features hyperspectral imaging technology, capable of capturing hundreds of narrow colour bands per pixel.

These detailed images allow scientists to:

Monitor crop health and soil moisture

Identify mineral deposits

Track urban growth

Dr. B.R. Guruprasad, Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, told ANI, “Tomorrow, January 12, 2026, marks India’s first launch of the year. The PSLV is among the most reliable launch vehicles in the world and has earlier carried missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan and Aditya-L1. This will be the 64th PSLV launch.”

Co-Passenger Satellites of PSLV-C62 

The rocket will carry a total of 15 satellites, including:

Eight satellites from Indian companies

Five satellites from Brazil for mapping, communication, and technology experiments

A UK-Thailand joint Earth observation satellite

A technology demonstration satellite from Nepal

Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) from Spain and France

One of the mission’s innovations is AayulSAT, developed by Bengaluru startup OrbitAID Aerospace, which will test India’s first in-space satellite refuelling technology.

Strategic Applications of Hyperspectral Imaging of PSLV-C62 

Hyperspectral imaging, the core technology of EOS-N1, also has strategic uses:

Ground mapping: Determines soil types, helping plan safe vehicle or troop movement.

Detecting hidden dangers: Identifies camouflaged or unusual materials in urban and rural terrains.

Planning operations: Enables 3D simulations for route planning and visibility assessments.

Monitoring environmental changes: Tracks floods or earthquakes for early warnings.

Also Read: Reusable Rocket Race: China’s Long March 12A Falls Short of SpaceX-Style Landing, Which Elon Musk Mastered Years Ago