The mission showcases India’s first orbital AI image lab and a pioneering on orbit refuelling demonstration in space.
The Indian Space Research Organisation is set to script a major orbital milestone as PSLV-C62 lifts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marking India’s first significant space mission of 2026. Carrying 16 satellites into a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit, the launch underscores India’s expanding role as a dependable global launch hub for advanced and commercial payloads.
At the centre of the mission is EOS N1, also known as Anvesha, an Earth observation satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Equipped with advanced hyperspectral imaging, it can capture hundreds of light bands per pixel, enabling precise identification of materials. This capability will support applications ranging from agriculture and mineral exploration to urban planning and environmental monitoring.
The mission also showcases cutting edge private sector innovation. Bengaluru based OrbitAID Aerospace’s AayulSAT will demonstrate India’s first on orbit refuelling model, testing docking and fuel transfer technologies designed to extend satellite lifespans and reduce space debris.
Another highlight is MOI 1, developed by startups TakeMe2Space and Eon Space Labs, which introduces India’s first orbital AI image laboratory. Using onboard edge computing, it processes data in space and allows users worldwide to rent processing time, dramatically reducing data latency. Integrated within MOI 1 is MIRA, the world’s lightest space telescope, weighing just 502 grams and built from a single block of fused silica glass.
The international payload includes satellites from Nepal, Spain, Mauritius and Brazil, alongside Indian missions from Dhruva Space. As PSLV roars skyward, the launch reinforces India’s reputation as a trusted gateway to space innovation.
