Archive · 28 Aug 2026
ISRO Plans EOS 5 Comeback Launch After PSLV Setbacks
ISRO is preparing to launch a satellite called EOS 5 on September 4.
The satellite will look down at India from very high above Earth.
It should be able to watch the country many times during the day.
This may help officials track floods, cyclones, fires and other fast-changing events.
EOS 5 replaces an earlier satellite that was lost during a failed launch in 2021.
The rocket for this mission is called GSLV F17.
It uses different important propulsion systems from the PSLV rocket that recently failed twice.
ISRO hopes this launch will rebuild confidence and support its future space plans.
Those plans include an uncrewed test flight for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
ISRO is scheduled to launch EOS 5 aboard GSLV F17 in the early hours of September 4.
EOS 5, formerly called GISAT 1A, is designed to repeatedly observe India from about 36,000 kilometres above Earth.
The mission follows two consecutive PSLV failures, after which the PSLV remains grounded for investigations and validation tests.
EOS 5 is the successor to EOS 03, which was lost during the failed GSLV F10 mission on August 12, 2021.
ISRO plans seven launches by March 2027, including Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed mission, and eight launch vehicle missions this financial year.
- Who
- The Indian Space Research Organisation, led by Chairman Dr V Narayanan, is conducting the mission.
- What
- ISRO plans to launch the EOS 5 Earth observation satellite aboard the GSLV F17 rocket.
- When
- The launch is scheduled for the early hours of September 4; the year is not specified in the articles.
- Where
- The launch is expected to take place from ISRO’s launch facility, although the articles do not name the location.
- Why
- The mission aims to restore launch momentum, demonstrate GSLV Mk II reliability and provide rapid Earth-observation data for monitoring natural and other fast-developing events.
- Satellite
- EOS 5, previously designated GISAT 1A
- Launch vehicle
- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle F17, or GSLV F17
- Scheduled launch
- Early hours of September 4
- Orbital altitude
- Approximately 36,000 kilometres above Earth
- Previous related failure
- EOS 03 was lost during the GSLV F10 mission on August 12, 2021
- Planned launches by March 2027
- Seven, including Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed mission
- Current financial-year targets
- Twelve satellites and eight launch vehicle missions
