India’s Space Setback Becomes Global Embarrassment

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is facing renewed global embarrassment and serious questions regarding its technological reliability following the failure of the PSLV-C62 mission.

This latest setback has intensified concerns about the security of India’s space and missile programs, as Indian media and analysts themselves have highlighted the growing weaknesses. The PSLV-C62 mission failed during its third stage on Monday, resulting in the loss of sixteen satellites including a strategic surveillance payload for the DRDO. This failure follows an identical third-stage malfunction during the PSLV-C61 mission on May 18, 2025, suggesting a systemic flaw rather than an isolated accident.

Repeated failures in these space missions have raised dangerous questions about India’s strategic technology. Analysts point out that the propulsion and motor technology used in these failed rockets is deeply linked to India’s Agni missile program. While India has characterized the Agni series as a success, the frequent failure of the same technology in the PSLV rockets creates serious concerns for regional security. Experts warn that if these flaws were to appear in a strategic missile during a war situation, the consequences would be devastating.

The possibility of an Agni missile deviating from its path and landing in a neighboring country due to these technological weaknesses could trigger an unintended and catastrophic retaliation. The failure of PSLV-C62 serves as a warning that a country’s unreliable technology can pose a threat to the global balance of power. Consequently, analysts argue that these technical failures are no longer just a scientific issue but have evolved into a significant global security concern.