CHENNAI, September 1, 2026 – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its state-of-the-art Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-05, aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F17). The launch is officially scheduled for the early hours of September 4 at 02:55 AM IST from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
This mission marks a significant milestone for India’s space program, as EOS-05 (also known as GISAT-1A) will become the country’s first-ever imaging satellite designed to operate from a geosynchronous orbit.
1.Mission Profile:
The 51.7-meter-tall, three-stage GSLV-MkII rocket, with a lift-off mass of 420.5 tonnes, will inject the 2,367 kg EOS-05 spacecraft into a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO). The targeted initial orbit has a perigee of 170 km and an apogee of 28,934 km. Following the launch, the satellite will perform maneuvers to reach its final operational position approximately 36,000 kilometers above the equator.
2.Strategic and Civil Applications:
Operating from a geosynchronous altitude allows the satellite’s orbital period to match the Earth’s rotation, enabling it to maintain a persistent, continuous watch over the Indian subcontinent. The satellite is designed to provide near-real-time imagery at intervals of about 30 minutes, with revisit times for priority targets potentially as short as five minutes. This capability will be crucial for monitoring fast-evolving events like cyclones, floods, and forest fires, while also supporting strategic security observations, agricultural tracking, and environmental research.
3.Redemption for the GISAT Program:
The GSLV-F17 mission holds particular significance as ISRO seeks to reinforce confidence in its heavy-lift launch program. The mission comes nearly five years after the original GISAT-1 mission failed in August 2021 due to a technical glitch in the cryogenic third upper stage of the GSLV-F10 rocket. ISRO temporarily paused GSLV launches to investigate and rectify the underlying issues before moving forward with EOS-05.
The GSLV-F17, marking the 19th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, will feature a 4-meter diameter Ogive composite payload fairing. The satellite is built with a projected mission life of 10 years, serving as India’s new “eye in the sky” for advanced, continuous monitoring.
Published by True Roots Media Network