ISRO's rapid expansion faces reliability tests after two satellite launch failures

India's space programme has expanded rapidly over the past five decades. Since 1975, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched 134 spacecraft missions, covering everything from lunar probes to commercial real estate satellites. Yet recent setbacks have highlighted the challenges of maintaining such a high launch rate while ensuring reliability.

ISRO's early years saw steady but slower progress. Between 1975 and 2009, the agency completed 43 missions. After 2010, however, the pace quickened sharply, with 91 launches recorded between 2010 and 2026. The busiest periods came in 2016, 2017, and 2018, when ISRO conducted 8, 8, and 9 missions each year respectively.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has been the workhorse of the programme, responsible for 64 of the 134 missions—nearly half of all launches. Its versatility has allowed ISRO to place communication satellites, Earth observation tools, and even interplanetary probes into orbit. Over 60% of missions have targeted geosynchronous or sun-synchronous polar orbits, reflecting their importance for both domestic and commercial real estate needs. Beyond routine launches, ISRO has pursued high-profile scientific missions. These include three lunar explorations—Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2, and Chandrayaan-3—as well as the Mars Orbiter Mission, Mangalyaan. Data from these projects is made public through official portals like PRADAN and the Indian Space Science Data Centre. In recent years, ISRO's payloads have diversified further. Strategic satellites now share space with private startup projects and international contracts. However, two consecutive PSLV failures—the PSLV-C61 on 18th May 2025 and PSLV-C62 on 12th January 2026—have raised concerns. These incidents underscore the need for stricter quality controls and backup systems to sustain the programme's reputation for dependability.

With 134 missions completed and a growing list of commercial real estate and scientific objectives, ISRO remains a key player in global space exploration. The recent failures serve as a reminder that even well-established systems require constant oversight. Moving forward, balancing speed with safety will be critical to maintaining India's competitive edge in space.