PSLV • EOS-N1

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), designation C62, on a rideshare mission. The primary payload was the country’s EOS-N1, an Earth observation satellite built by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and managed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). There were also 15 rideshare payloads onboard, including, according to news outlets in India, the Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID), which is a 25 kg spacecraft from Spanish startup Orbital Paradigm, that will carry payloads for three customers (Alatyr, Leibniz University Hannover and an undisclosed customer) and test reentry capabilities. This was also be a return to flight for the PSLV rocket. The last flight of this type of rocket, PSLV-C61 on May 18, 2025, saw a mid-flight anomaly, which prevented the EOS-09 satellite from reaching its intended orbit. Delayed from Jan. 9/10. Failed due to issue with third stage.