ISRO's GSLV-F17 Successfully Places EOS-05 Earth Observation Satellite in Orbit

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved another milestone early Friday with the successful launch of its advanced Earth observation satellite, EOS-05. The spacecraft was carried aloft by the GSLV-F17 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, lifting off from the Second Launch Pad at 2:55 am following a 27.5-hour countdown.

GSLV-F17, the 19th flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle programme, accomplished its primary mission by injecting EOS-05 into the intended Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO). The three-stage rocket, standing 51.7 metres tall and featuring a 4-metre-diameter ogive composite payload fairing, performed as expected during the flight.

EOS-05 is a state-of-the-art Earth observation spacecraft and represents a significant technological step for India as its first imaging satellite designed to operate from geosynchronous orbit. The approximately 2,367-kg satellite will now undergo a series of orbit-raising manoeuvres to reach its final operational position.

Operating from a much higher altitude than conventional low-Earth-orbit observation satellites, EOS-05 will be capable of observing vast geographical areas in a single view. This vantage point is expected to enhance India's ability to monitor the Indian subcontinent and adjoining regions, providing crucial data for civilian and strategic applications.

The satellite's observations are slated to support disaster management, agriculture, environmental assessment, natural resource management, and the monitoring of weather-related events. Its capacity for frequent imaging from its operational position could significantly improve the timely availability of information during rapidly developing natural disasters and other emergencies.

This successful mission marks a significant step in ISRO's efforts to establish Earth-imaging capabilities from geosynchronous orbit. It also serves as a redemption of sorts for the GSLV programme, following the failure of the GSLV-F10 mission in August 2021, which carried the EOS-03 satellite and was lost when its cryogenic upper stage failed to complete its planned operation.

With EOS-05 now in orbit, ISRO has added a sophisticated new platform to its Earth observation network, one that will complement the country's existing constellation of satellites and broaden the scope of its monitoring capabilities.