The Indian Space Research Organisation is preparing to send PSLV-C62 into space, carrying a mix of Indian defence technology, an European capsule attempting something never done before, and satellites from countries around the world.
What is Anvesha?
At the heart of this mission sits Anvesha, also called EOS-N1, a satellite built by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Think of it as a super-powered camera that doesn't just take pictures but can actually see through things. Weighing between 100 to 150 kg, this hyperspectral imaging satellite can identify what materials are made of by analysing light in hundreds of different wavelengths something our eyes cannot do.
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Why does this matter? "Enemy tanks hidden under camouflage nets, illegal border activities concealed by vegetation, or crops suffering from disease that looks healthy to normal cameras. Anvesha can spot all of these because different materials reflect light differently in ways invisible to regular cameras," explained space analyst Girish Linganna.
First planned back in 2020 but delayed by the pandemic, this satellite will orbit Earth at 600 kilometers height, constantly scanning and sending valuable intelligence back home. It joins India's growing family of spy satellites that use radar and optical technology to keep our borders safe.
KID from Spain
The mission gets truly exciting due to its interesting payloads. "Tucked among the other payloads is a spherical capsule no bigger than a football, weighing just 25 kg. It is the Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID) built by a young Spanish startup called Orbital Paradigm that was founded only in 2023. This tiny sphere is attempting something audacious: surviving a fiery return through Earth's atmosphere at speeds over seven kilometres per second, with temperatures reaching 1,600 degrees Celsius," added Linganna.
KID's heat shield is made of special ceramics and composite materials and protect its delicate electronics inside while plasma super-hot ionised gas engulfs it completely, cutting off all communication for several minutes. No parachutes, no propulsion on this first flight—just pure engineering courage. After being released at 600 km altitude, KID will coast for about 30 minutes before gravity pulls it down.
Inside KID, there are three experiments from France, Germany, and another undisclosed partner. If KID makes it, Europe will have its first successful re-entry vehicle in decades, paving the way for future missions that will bring back medicine experiments, advanced materials, and biological samples from space at affordable costs. The entire capsule was built in under 12 months for less than one million euros, proving that space innovation doesn't always need billions.
17 more satellites
The PSLV-C62 rocket itself stands 44m tall, weighs 320 tonnes, and flies in a lighter configuration with just two solid strap-on boosters. After the partial setback of PSLV-C61 in May 2025, this mission marks a confident return. Sharing the ride with Anvesha and KID are 17 other satellites totalling about 200 kg from startups and research institutions across India, Mauritius, Luxembourg, the UAE, Singapore, Europe, and the United States. These include Earth-imaging satellites, space debris trackers, Internet-of-Things communication nodes, and university research CubeSats. Each represents someone's dream, years of work, and hope for contributing to humanity's space future.
Through this launch India is expected to demonstrate that a developing nation can launch critical defence assets, support European startups testing technologies, and provide affordable rides for global innovators all in one precise, cost-effective mission. When those four rocket stages finish burning around Christmas, India will have new eyes watching over its borders, Spain will have data proving re-entry technology works, and dozens of engineers worldwide will see their satellites begin their journeys.
