ISRO’s PSLV-C62 Launch of EOS-N1, 15 Co-passengers Faces Third-Stage Anomaly

ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission launches EOS-N1 earth observation satellite along with 15 co-passenger satellites and reports a third-stage anomaly. The launch marks the 64th flight of PSLV and the 9th dedicated commercial mission undertaken by New Space India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, making it relevant now.

PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 Mission and PSLV:

Dimension	Key Details
PSLV milestone	The launch marks the 64th flight of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
Commercial mission count (NSIL)	9th dedicated commercial mission undertaken by NSIL.
NSIL status and control	Incorporated in 2019, is a wholly owned Government Company under administrative control of the Department of Space and comprises the commercial arm of ISRO.
Mission payload composition	PSLV-C62 mission consist EOS-N1 earth observation satellite along with 15 co-passenger satellites from domestic and international customers.
EOS-N1 design feature	Strengthen space-based monitoring capabilities.
KID technology demonstrator	The mission provides for demonstration of KID (Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator) from a Spanish startup; KID comprises a small-scale prototype of a re-entry vehicle.
KID re-entry plan	KID is slated to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere towards splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean.
Orbit/trajectory injection plan	EOS-N1 and 14 co-passenger satellites will be injected into a Sun Synchronous Orbit; the KID capsule will be injected into a re-entry trajectory.
PSLV type and feature	PSLV comprises a 3rd generation launch vehicle and is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
PSLV payload capability	1,750 kg of payload to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits of 600 km altitude and has consistently delivered satellites to Low Earth Orbits.
PSLV stages	First Stage uses the S139 solid rocket motor augmented by 6 solid strap-on boosters; Second Stage uses Earth storable liquid rocket engine (Vikas engine) developed by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre; Third Stage is a solid rocket motor providing high thrust to upper stages; Fourth Stage comprises two Earth storable liquid engines.
Notable PSLV missions and record	Notable missions comprise Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1 and Astrosat Mission; PSLV set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission in 2017.