ISRO: EOS-05 to be placed in elliptical geosynchronous orbit, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• EOS-05 is India's first dedicated imaging satellite to operate from a Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO).
• It was successfully launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aboard the GSLV-F17 launch vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• The satellite will be placed in a slightly elliptical geosynchronous orbit, allowing continuous observation of a specific area.
• Weighing 2,367 kg, EOS-05 is the heaviest payload successfully injected into orbit by a standard GSLV configuration.
• Its applications include weather monitoring, disaster management, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and strategic surveillance for the Indian Navy.

Detailed Insights:

• EOS-05, also known as GISAT-1A, is the second satellite in the GISAT series and aims to improve existing remote sensing capabilities.
• Unlike most Earth observation satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), EOS-05 operates from approximately 36,000 km, providing persistent, high-frequency observation.
• The satellite was initially placed into a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO) and will use its onboard propulsion for orbit-raising maneuvers to reach its final operational orbit.
• EOS-05 carries advanced optical and infrared imaging payloads, including a 700 mm Ritchey–Chrétien optical telescope and hyperspectral sensors.
• It is capable of imaging critical disaster spots every 5 to 10 minutes and scanning the entire Indian landmass every 30 minutes under clear skies.
• The GSLV-F17 is the 19th operational flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
• The choice of geosynchronous orbit allows for continuous monitoring, which is crucial for tracking rapidly evolving weather systems, floods, forest fires, and for strengthening situational awareness across India's land and maritime domains.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Earth Observation Satellite (EOS): Satellites designed to monitor Earth's environment, weather, and surface features from space.
• Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO): An orbit where a satellite's orbital period matches Earth's rotational period (approximately 24 hours), making it appear stationary or trace a figure-8 pattern in the sky from Earth.
• Geostationary Orbit (GEO): A special type of Geosynchronous Orbit that is circular, directly above the Equator, and has zero inclination, causing the satellite to appear fixed over a single point on Earth.
• Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV): An ISRO launch vehicle designed to place satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits and Geostationary Orbits.