New Delhi : India’s space sector is gearing up for a series of high-impact missions, with the Department of Space scheduling seven major launches by March 2026. These missions span strategic payloads, technology demonstrations, international collaborations, and a landmark uncrewed test flight under the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. Alongside these missions, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)—the commercial arm of ISRO—is accelerating efforts across the space value chain, strengthening India’s presence in the global space market.
Seven Key Missions Planned by March 2026
The planned missions include a mix of commercial launches, earth observation satellites, oceanographic payloads, and technology demonstrators:
1. LVM3 M6 / NSIL
A dedicated commercial launch for the BlueBird Block-2 satellite of AST SpaceMobile Inc., USA, executed under an NSIL commercial agreement.
2. PSLV C62 / EOS-N1
A strategic Earth Observation Satellite launch undertaken by NSIL, accompanied by 18 co-passenger satellites from various Indian and international customers.
3. HLVM3 G1 / OM-1
The first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, designed to validate all key systems of the human-rated launch vehicle, evaluate orbital module performance, and demonstrate crew module re-entry and recovery.
4. GSLV F17 / EOS-05
Deployment of an Earth Observation Satellite supporting strategic national applications.
5. PSLV C63 / TDS-01
Launch of Technology Demonstration Satellite-01, aimed at proving cutting-edge technologies such as:
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High-thrust electric propulsion
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Indigenous Travelling Wave Tube (TWT) amplifier
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Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems
6. PSLV N1 / EOS-10
A major milestone as NSIL’s first industry-built PSLV, manufactured by an HAL–L&T consortium. The mission will launch:
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EOS-10 for oceanographic studies
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Indo-Mauritius Joint Satellite (IMJS)
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LEAP-2 from an emerging Indian space company
7. SSLV L1 / NSIL
A fully commercial mission operated by NSIL using the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle.
Post reforms in Space sector, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) has taken several steps across the space value chain, including upstream and downstream, to ensure the success of commercial satellite deployments and enhance India’s competitiveness in the global space market. Towards this, NSIL has undertaken commercial satellite missions on a demand driven mode to meet the customers’ requirements. Till date, NSIL has already deployed two commercial communication satellites to cater to Direct-to-Home [DTH] and broadband needs of Indian customers. Further, NSIL has planned to launch at least three (3) commercial communication satellites in the next 3 to 4 years.
As part of its Launch services business activities, NSIL has taken steps to actively market launch services on-board PSLV, SSLV and LVM3 launcher to the international customers. Till date, NSIL has successfully launched total 137 customer satellites on-board 5 PSLV, 2 LVM3 and 2 SSLV missions.
To increase the number of commercial satellite deployments, NSIL has taken steps to build end-to-end launch vehicle through Indian Industry. As part of this, NSIL is realizing 5 no. of PSLV-XL through HAL and L&T consortium. The 1st fully Indian Industry manufactured PSLV would be launched by Q1 of 2026. To build capacity in Indian Industry, NSIL along with IN-SPACe signed a Technology Transfer Agreement with HAL during Sep. 2025. With the above initiatives, NSIL is aiming to enhance India’s competitiveness in the global space market.