ISRO launches advanced imaging satellite EOS-05, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its advanced earth observation satellite EOS-05 on Friday.
• The launch was carried out by the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F17) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• Weighing 2,367 kg, EOS-05 is India’s first imaging satellite designed to operate from a geosynchronous orbit, approximately 36,000 km above Earth.
• The satellite will provide real-time imagery for applications in agriculture, environment, and disaster management.
• This successful mission marks a significant achievement for ISRO following recent launch failures, including PSLV-C62 and PSLV-C61.

EOS 05.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The GSLV-F17 placed the EOS-05 into a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit (Sub-GTO) about 18 minutes after liftoff.
• ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed the satellite's perfect health and the successful deployment of its solar panel.
• The orbit of EOS-05 will be raised in the coming days to its final geosynchronous orbit for national activities.
• The launch is the 19th mission for the GSLV and the 107th from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
• This mission demonstrates the improved performance of the GSLV, which successfully injected its heaviest satellite to date.
• The success provides a crucial boost to ISRO after the failures of the PSLV-C62 mission in January 2026 and the PSLV-C61 in May 2025, as well as the GSLV-F10/EOS-03 mission in August 2021.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Geosynchronous Orbit: An orbit around Earth where a satellite's orbital period matches Earth's rotation, making it appear stationary over a specific longitude.
• Earth Observation Satellite (EOS): Satellites designed to collect information about Earth's land, oceans, atmosphere, and environmental systems using onboard sensors.
• Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV): An ISRO launch vehicle primarily used to launch heavier satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) or geosynchronous orbit.
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC): India's primary spaceport located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, providing launch base infrastructure for the Indian Space Programme.