ISRO’s Major Milestone: New ‘Eye in the Sky’ Satellite Launched for Strategic Data

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday achieved a major milestone with the successful launch of EOS-05, India’s first dedicated Earth observation imaging satellite designed to operate in geosynchronous orbit.

The 2,367-kg satellite was launched aboard the 51.7-metre-tall GSLV-F17 from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2:55 am, following a smooth 27.5-hour countdown.

The rocket placed EOS-05 into its intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit about 18 minutes after liftoff. The satellite will now undergo a series of orbit-raising manoeuvres before being positioned in its final geosynchronous orbit, around 36,000 km above Earth.

Once operational, EOS-05 will provide near real-time imagery and repeated observations of India and neighbouring regions. The satellite is designed to support agriculture, disaster management, cyclone monitoring, early warnings and the monitoring of cloudbursts and thunderstorms.

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan described EOS-05 as an “eye in the sky” and said it would provide strategic data for the country.

“I am very happy to announce that the GSLV-F17 vehicle has successfully and precisely injected the advanced EOS-05 geo-imaging satellite into the intended and required orbit,” Narayanan said after the launch.

“This is the 107th launch from Sriharikota and the 19th mission of GSLV,” he added.

Narayanan highlighted the evolution of the GSLV since its first flight, noting that the rocket’s payload capacity had increased from 1,536 kg on its maiden mission to 2,367 kg with Friday’s launch.

The 420.5-tonne GSLV is a three-stage launch vehicle whose third stage is powered by a cryogenic engine. The rocket uses a four-metre-diameter ogive composite payload fairing.

Mission Director Thomas Kurien said EOS-05 was the heaviest satellite ever launched by the GSLV into a GTO or sub-GTO orbit and described it as a uniquely configured Earth observation spacecraft capable of near real-time imaging.

Project Director (Satellite) Imteyaz Ahamad said the satellite had multi-band operating capabilities and was complex in terms of its configuration, content and capabilities.

Narayanan said all satellite systems were functioning normally following separation and confirmed that its solar panel had been successfully deployed.

“The health of the satellite is perfectly alright,” he said, adding that orbit-raising operations would be carried out in the coming days to position EOS-05 on its geostationary platform.

Major boost after launch setbacks

The successful mission is significant for ISRO after setbacks involving its launch vehicles in recent years.

The GSLV-F17/EOS-05 mission replaces the GSLV-F10/EOS-03 mission, which failed on August 12, 2021. The 2021 mission was aborted 307 seconds after liftoff, with a subsequent analysis pointing to an anomaly in the cryogenic upper stage.

ISRO also suffered a setback earlier this year when the PSLV-C62 mission failed on January 12 while carrying 16 satellites. An anomaly in the rocket’s third stage prevented the spacecraft from reaching their intended orbits.

Friday’s success therefore provides an important boost to the space agency as it expands its Earth observation capabilities.

“This is a great achievement for our country’s space programme because this is the first Earth observation satellite which is going to be placed on the geo platform for national activities,” Narayanan said.

He credited the achievement to the combined efforts of ISRO, industrial partners and academia, as well as the agency’s review mechanisms and work culture.

EOS-05 is intended to provide frequent, near real-time imaging of large areas, enabling rapid monitoring of natural disasters and other short-duration events. Its data will also support agriculture and forestry applications, as well as the monitoring of water bodies through spectral observations.

The mission follows GSLV-F16/NISAR, launched on July 30, 2025. The joint ISRO-NASA satellite is designed to image global land and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days.

Despite rain and the unusual pre-dawn launch time, members of the public gathered at Sriharikota to watch the rocket’s ascent.

Narayanan said ISRO has planned six more missions during the current financial year, including the launch of a navigation satellite from Sriharikota.