ISRO Successfully Launches EOS-05 Earth Observation Satellite on GSLV-F17

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), September 4: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday successfully launched its advanced Earth observation satellite EOS-05 aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marking a significant step forward in India’s space-based Earth imaging capabilities.

The 51.7-metre-tall Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F17) lifted off from the Second Launch Pad at 2:55 am following a 27.5-hour countdown. The three-stage launch vehicle performed as planned and placed the approximately 2,367-kg EOS-05 satellite into its designated Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

The satellite will now undergo a series of orbit-raising manoeuvres before being positioned in its operational geosynchronous orbit.

EOS-05 has been developed to provide advanced Earth imaging from a geosynchronous orbit. Operating at a much higher altitude than conventional low-Earth-orbit observation satellites, it is designed to repeatedly monitor large geographical areas, potentially providing more frequent imagery of the Indian subcontinent and neighbouring regions.

The satellite’s data is expected to support a range of civilian and strategic applications, including disaster management, agriculture, environmental monitoring, natural resource assessment and tracking of weather-related events. Its ability to repeatedly observe large areas could also improve the availability of information during rapidly developing natural disasters and other emergencies.

The mission marks the 19th flight of India’s GSLV and further strengthens the country’s indigenous launch vehicle capabilities. GSLV-F17 uses India’s domestically developed cryogenic upper stage, a key technology for placing satellites into higher orbits.

The successful mission also represents renewed progress in ISRO’s efforts to establish advanced Earth-imaging capabilities from geosynchronous orbit. An earlier attempt, GSLV-F10 carrying the EOS-03 satellite, ended unsuccessfully in August 2021 after the cryogenic upper stage failed to complete its planned operation.

With EOS-05, ISRO has added another sophisticated platform to India’s expanding Earth observation programme. The satellite is expected to complement the existing space-based observation network and strengthen the country’s capacity for sustained monitoring of large areas.

The successful GSLV-F17 mission is expected to provide valuable technological support for disaster response, development planning, resource management and other national requirements.