Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) created another milestone on Friday, September 4, successfully launching EOS-05, India’s first imaging satellite designed to operate from geosynchronous orbit.
The 2,367-kg Earth observation satellite was carried aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket, which lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2:55 am.
Around 18 minutes after liftoff, EOS-05 was successfully injected into its intended sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO), marking ISRO’s first successful launch of 2026.
The mission was also the 19th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
What Makes EOS-05 Special?
Unlike most Earth observation satellites that operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), EOS-05 is designed to eventually operate from the geosynchronous region, roughly 36,000 km above Earth.
From such an orbit, the satellite can continuously observe a broad region rather than passing over an area only at intervals.
The spacecraft has been described by scientists as an “eye in the sky” because of its ability to provide near-real-time Earth imagery.
Once fully operational, EOS-05 is expected to support a range of applications, including agriculture, disaster management, weather-related monitoring and other national requirements.
ISRO has described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation spacecraft and India’s first imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit.
EOS-05 Becomes Heaviest Satellite Launched By GSLV
At 2,367 kg, EOS-05 is also the heaviest satellite ever carried by a GSLV into a GTO or sub-GTO trajectory.
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said the GSLV-F17 had successfully and precisely injected EOS-05 into the required orbit.
He noted that the first developmental flight of the GSLV carried a payload of around 1,536 kg, while improvements in structural mass and propulsion systems have gradually increased the rocket’s capability.
Narayanan said telemetry received after Friday’s launch showed that the satellite’s systems were functioning normally and its solar panel had been successfully deployed.
Further orbit-raising manoeuvres will now be carried out to take EOS-05 towards its operational geosynchronous position.
Why EOS-05 Could Be Important For India
Once positioned in its final orbit, EOS-05 is expected to provide India with a new level of continuous Earth observation capability.
Mission officials said the satellite has multi-band imaging capabilities and has been designed for near-real-time observation.
That could prove useful in monitoring rapidly developing situations such as cyclones, floods, forest fires and other natural disasters, while also supporting agricultural and strategic applications.
The mission is particularly significant because India’s existing Earth observation fleet has largely relied on satellites operating much closer to Earth.
GSLV-F17 Mission Comes After Earlier Setbacks
Friday’s successful mission is also important for ISRO after setbacks in previous launches.
EOS-05 is considered a successor to the EOS-03 mission launched aboard GSLV-F10 in 2021, which could not be completed successfully after an anomaly involving the cryogenic upper stage.
The latest launch also came after the PSLV-C62 mission in January 2026 encountered an anomaly and failed to place its payloads into the intended orbit.
The successful GSLV-F17 mission therefore marks a strong return to flight for the space agency in 2026.
With EOS-05 now successfully placed in its initial orbit, ISRO will carry out a series of manoeuvres before positioning the satellite at its final operational location.
