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

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday successfully launched its advanced EOS-05 Earth observation satellite aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The 51.7-metre 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 injected the satellite into its designated Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

The approximately 2,367-kg satellite will now undergo a series of orbit-raising manoeuvres before reaching its operational orbit.

EOS-05 To Boost Earth Imaging

EOS-05 has been developed to provide advanced Earth imaging capabilities from geosynchronous orbit. Its higher operating altitude will allow it to repeatedly observe large geographical areas.

The satellite is expected to strengthen India’s ability to monitor the Indian subcontinent and adjoining regions, with applications across disaster management, agriculture, environmental assessment and natural resource management.

Its frequent imaging capability could also provide valuable data during rapidly developing natural disasters and other emergencies.

19th GSLV Flight

The mission marks another milestone in India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle programme.

GSLV-F17 is the 19th flight of the GSLV and uses India’s indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage.

The successful mission also represents progress in ISRO’s efforts to establish advanced Earth-imaging capabilities from geosynchronous orbit.

An earlier mission, GSLV-F10, carrying the EOS-03 Earth observation satellite, was unsuccessful in August 2021 after the cryogenic upper stage could not complete its planned operation.

With EOS-05, ISRO has added another sophisticated platform to its expanding Earth observation programme, strengthening India’s capacity for sustained monitoring of large areas from space.