India’s space agency, ISRO, is entering an intense phase of activity with seven launches scheduled before March 2026, making it one of its busiest periods in recent memory. The upcoming missions span commercial contracts, scientific satellites, and preparations for sending humans into space.
The launch series is expected to open with a mission using the LVM3 rocket, which will carry the Bluebird-6 satellite for US firm AST SpaceMobile. Managed by NSIL, the mission underlines ISRO’s growing reputation as a reliable partner in the global satellite launch market.
Among the most closely watched missions is the first uncrewed Gaganyaan flight, planned for early next year. This test will send the humanoid robot Vyommitra into space to validate critical systems needed for human spaceflight. The mission will assess crew safety, orbital operations, and safe return to Earth. A second uncrewed mission will follow as ISRO works towards its goal of launching Indian astronauts by 2027.
A significant shift in India’s space ecosystem will also be visible during this period. ISRO will fly the first PSLV manufactured by Indian industry, highlighting the agency’s efforts to transfer production to the private sector. The rocket will deploy Oceansat, along with the Indo-Mauritius Joint Satellite and LEAP-2. The initiative is part of a broader plan in which HAL and L&T have been contracted to build multiple PSLVs for commercial use.
Additional launches will use ISRO-built vehicles. A PSLV mission will place EOS-N1 and several small satellites into orbit, serving both domestic and international clients. Meanwhile, a GSLV-Mk II mission will launch EOS-5 (GISAT-1A), replacing a previous earth observation satellite that failed to reach orbit.
Technology testing remains central to ISRO’s roadmap. The PSLV-63 mission will demonstrate electric propulsion systems that significantly reduce satellite fuel needs, along with quantum-based secure communication technologies. ISRO also plans an SSLV mission, aimed at offering flexible, on-demand launches for small satellites, reinforcing India’s growing presence in the commercial space sector.
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