NEW DELHI: In a dramatic turn of events, India’s PSLV-C62 mission on January 12, 2026, ended in failure after a critical anomaly during the third stage prevented successful orbital insertion, risking all 16 satellites aboard. Among these was India's EOS-N1 (Anvesha), designed for Earth observation, in addition to several international rideshare missions.

In an unexpected twist, the Spanish startup Orbital Paradigm’s Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID) capsule remarkably survived the mishap. The 25-kilogram capsule, measuring about the size of a football, autonomously activated after separation from the rocket's fourth stage and transmitted over three minutes of telemetry data back to Earth. This capsule was crafted to test reusable re-entry technology, and it successfully withstood extreme heat and deceleration forces before gently splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean.

The survival of the KID capsule not only represents a personal victory for Orbital Paradigm but also marks a significant achievement for private space ventures. The data collected during this off-nominal event could expedite the development of Orbital Paradigm’s full-scale Kestrel capsule. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has confirmed that an investigation into the PSLV-C62 third-stage deviation is ongoing, which has potential ramifications for future flagship missions, including Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-4.

While the PSLV setback is a rare blemish on India's otherwise stellar track record in space launches, the unexpected success of the KID capsule offers a silver lining. This incident underscores the potential for international collaboration in space exploration and highlights the resilience and innovation in the private sector.