1 hr ago
ISRO Successfully Launches India’s First Geo-Orbit Imaging Satellite
India’s space agency, ISRO, launched a large new satellite called EOS-05.
It traveled into space on a rocket named GSLV-F17.
The launch happened from Sriharikota early Friday.
The satellite weighs more than 2,300 kilograms.
It was placed into a special transfer orbit about 18 minutes after liftoff.
Engineers will later raise it into its final geosynchronous orbit.
From there, it is expected to take images of Earth in near real time.
These images could help with farming and disaster management.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the launch a proud achievement for India.
ISRO launched the EOS-05 imaging satellite aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket from Sriharikota early Friday.
The satellite, weighing about 2,300 kilograms, reached its intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit roughly 18 minutes after liftoff.
EOS-05 is intended to become India’s first dedicated imaging satellite operating from a geosynchronous platform.
The satellite is designed to provide near-real-time imagery for uses including agriculture and disaster management.
The mission was ISRO’s first success of 2026 and followed earlier launch setbacks, including the failed GSLV-F10/EOS-03 mission in 2021.
- Who
- The Indian Space Research Organisation launched EOS-05; Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the mission.
- What
- A GSLV-F17 rocket successfully carried the EOS-05 imaging satellite into its intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.
- Where
- The second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.
- When
- Early Friday in 2026; the rocket lifted off at 2:55 a.m. after a 27-hour countdown.
- Why
- EOS-05 is intended to provide near-real-time and strategic Earth imagery for national activities, including agriculture and disaster management.
Key facts
- Satellite
- EOS-05
- Rocket
- GSLV-F17
- Payload mass
- About 2,300 kilograms; ISRO chief V Narayanan cited a mass of 2,367 kilograms.
- Initial orbit
- Sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit, reached about 18 minutes after liftoff.
- Planned operating orbit
- A geosynchronous platform roughly 36,000 kilometers above Earth.
- Mission significance
- ISRO’s first successful launch of 2026 and its first dedicated imaging satellite mission from a geo platform.
- Launch statistics
- The 107th launch from Sriharikota and the 19th GSLV mission, according to V Narayanan.
Quotes
Narendra Modi
Prime Minister of India
“Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation. The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India's first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define India's space sector.”
telegraphindia.com
m.rediff.com
“I am very happy to announce that the GSLV F-17 vehicle has successfully and precisely injected the advanced EOS-05 geo imaging satellite in the intended and required orbit.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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