Northeast India’s First Satellite ‘Lachit-1’ Developed By 50 Students Went Down With ISRO PSLV-C62 Crash

ISRO’s 64th PSLV mission met with a tragic failure ahead of its last stage and de-orbited with the 16 satellites onboard, including the Spanish startup’s prototype re-entry vehicle dubbed KID or Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator; DRDO’s advanced imaging satellite EOS-N1 aka Anvesha; and Northeast India’s historic first satellite, LACHIT-1 (Live Amateur Communication Hub for Innovative Technologies - One). LACHIT-1, developed by fifty students of the Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) was named after legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan (1622-1672), who led the native army against the Mughal forces under the command of Mirza Raja Ram Singh I. Lachit-1 was designed to enable licensed radio operators via VHF/UHF ground station and Dhruva Space’s ISOCS (Integrated Space Command Suite) to conduct R&D via satellite communication. This would have greatly enabled the tracking of natural calamities in real time and emergency response. The satellite was developed under Dhruva Space’s ASTRA (Accelerated Space Technology Readiness & Access) for Academia program, which facilitated fifty students and faculty from across various regions of Northeast India studying at ADBU including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. Fr. Jose Palely, the VC of the university, dubbed the Lachit-1 mission as “a statement of intent from the Northeast.” Reacting to the ISRO PSLV-C62 failure, Nagaland minister of Tourism & Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along quipped, People asked, ‘What’s new in the Northeast?’ We said, ‘Satellite.’ With LACHIT-1, built by students from across the Northeast, our region proved it belongs in India’s space future. The mission faced a setback-but courage lies in the attempt, not just the outcome. From the land of Lachit Borphukan to the edge of space-we dared, we built, and we’ll rise again. Proud to be from the Northeast of India People asked, ‘What’s new in the Northeast?’ - We said, ‘Satellite.’ With LACHIT-1, built by students from across the Northeast, our region proved it belongs in India’s space future. The mission faced a setback - but courage lies in the attempt, not just the outcome. From the... pic.twitter.com/pTgXLaLxfY - Temjen Imna Along (@AlongImna) January 12, 2026 The LACHIT-1 satellite mission marks a defining moment for Northeast India in space science, led by students of Assam Don Bosco University and bringing together talent from across the region. With participation from over 50 students and professors from multiple Northeastern... pic.twitter.com/xrkWvkSBsz - India Today NE (@IndiaTodayNE) January 12, 2026 A proud milestone for Assam and Northeast India !!! LACHIT-1 (Live Amateur Communication Hub for Innovative Technologies - One), the first student research satellite from Northeast India, planned by Assam Don Bosco University . pic.twitter.com/IegyBL5sVh - Buljit Buragohain (@buljit) January 12, 2026 A proud moment for Northeast! With LACHIT-1, the region’s first satellite, ready for launch aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62, the Northeast takes a historic leap in science, innovation, and aspiration. Built by young minds from Assam Don Bosco University, this achievement reflects the... pic.twitter.com/5ssf2RUq9r - H Tovihoto Ayemi (@tovihoto) January 12, 2026 In a landmark achievement for Assam and the Northeast, Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) is set to...

Preview: ~500 words