ISRO prepares for strong comeback with fresh satellite launches
The Indian Space Research Organisation is gearing up for a busy second half of 2026, as it prepares to resume launches and deliver on an ambitious slate of missions.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said ISRO is conducting pre-launch runs and expects to return to flight between June and July. “If all goes according to our timeline, [the launch] may be by June or July,” he said in Chennai.
The year began with challenges, but ISRO has used the time to strengthen systems. After the PSLV-C62 mission, a National Level Expert Committee was constituted to review the anomaly and recommend corrective measures. Officials confirmed the deferments were due to technical reasons and that PSLV will return to flight with those fixes in place.
Despite the early pause, ISRO’s launch pipeline remains full. The agency has 18 launches planned for 2026, including missions with six private partners who remain committed to flying with ISRO. The successful LVM3 M6 mission by NewSpace India Ltd in December 2025 showed the system is still delivering.
Key missions ahead include the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, or NISAR, for earth observation, climate and weather monitoring satellites, and the first uncrewed test flight of Gaganyaan. Test flights with humanoid robot Vyommitra are also scheduled before the end of the year.
ISRO is also adapting its navigation fleet. With IRNSS-1F completing its 10-year design life, the satellite will now be repurposed to provide one-way broadcast messaging services such as storm forecasts, adding value to the NavIC system.
Minister Singh highlighted the government’s support for the space sector, including a ₹1-lakh crore R&D fund and a ₹10,000-crore fund for deep tech startups. He added that ecosystems in cities like Chennai and Coimbatore are helping build the next generation of space entrepreneurs.
With technical reviews complete, industry partnerships growing, and a packed launch manifest, ISRO is set to reset its pace and continue driving India’s space ambitions in 2026.
