One Satellite Survives PSLV-C62 Failure, Sends Data Briefly

In a rare outcome following a launch failure, a small foreign satellite managed to survive long enough to transmit data after the malfunction of India’s PSLV-C62 mission. While most payloads were lost due to a third-stage anomaly, a football-sized Spanish capsule defied expectations by separating from the rocket and communicating with Earth for a short duration.

PSLV-C62 Anomaly and Mission Failure

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C62 experienced a disturbance near the end of its third stage, causing deviation from its intended trajectory. This prevented the successful insertion of 16 satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit. ISRO chairman V Narayanan stated that the anomaly disrupted the mission sequence, leading to the presumed loss of all onboard payloads, including the primary satellite EOS-N1 (Anvesha).

Kestrel Initial Demonstrator’s Unexpected Survival

Contrary to initial assessments, the Spanish satellite KID (Kestrel Initial Demonstrator) survived the failure. Developed by startup Orbital Paradigm, the 25-kg capsule separated from the rocket’s fourth stage “against all odds.” It powered on and transmitted critical telemetry data for approximately three minutes before contact was lost. The company confirmed that the capsule recorded peak deceleration of about 28g and provided valuable thermal and internal temperature data.

Purpose and Technical Significance of KID

KID was designed as a re-entry demonstrator, intended to test controlled atmospheric re-entry and splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean. Developed in collaboration with French partner RIDE, the mission aimed to validate reusable re-entry technologies crucial for satellite servicing and safe de-orbiting. Although Orbital Paradigm has not yet confirmed whether the capsule ultimately burned up or splashed down, the brief data transmission is being described as a partial technical success.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• PSLV is India’s workhorse launch vehicle for sun-synchronous and polar orbits.
• Sun-synchronous orbit allows satellites to pass over the same Earth location at the same local time.
• Re-entry demonstrator missions test heat resistance and deceleration during atmospheric entry.
• Small satellites often provide low-cost platforms for experimental space technologies.

Implications for Future Space Missions

The unexpected survival of KID has provided Orbital Paradigm with rare real-world data under extreme launch-failure conditions. The company is expected to release a detailed technical report and may accelerate development of its Kestrel programme. For ISRO, the incident underscores both the risks inherent in space launches and the resilience of modern small-satellite engineering.