ISRO announces September 4 launch for EOS-05
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Monday that it will launch the earth observation satellite EOS-05 on September 4 at 02:55 am from Sriharikota, aboard a GSLV-F17 rocket. The mission will mark the end of a seven-month pause in launches since the last attempt, the PSLV-C62 mission in January, which failed.
EOS-05, also known as GISAT-1A under a new naming system, is a replacement for the earlier GISAT-1 (or EOS-03) satellite. That satellite, launched in 2021, failed to reach orbit after the cryogenic upper stage of its rocket failed to ignite. A failure analysis committee later attributed the failure to a malfunctioning valve that led to insufficient pressure in the liquid hydrogen tank.
The upcoming launch will take place from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, as detailed in reports on the mission.
The Indian Express, which had earlier reported that the launch was expected in the first week of September, also noted that another satellite, NVS-03, currently parked at the spaceport, is likely to be launched in November. This information was part of the same report announcing the September 4 date.
Satellite design and capabilities
EOS-05 is designed to operate from a geostationary orbit approximately 36,000 kilometres above the equator. In this orbit, the satellite will circle Earth at the same rate as the planet's rotation, allowing it to maintain a nearly fixed position relative to the ground. This enables it to continuously observe the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions.
According to the planned mission profile, the satellite will be capable of providing near-real-time imagery at intervals of about 30 minutes, with revisit times as short as five minutes for priority targets. Such rapid imaging could be valuable for monitoring fast-changing events like cyclones, floods, and forest fires.
The satellite has a 10-year mission life and is designed to image large areas at frequent intervals for purposes such as monitoring natural disasters, agriculture, and forestry.
Context and importance
Earth observation satellites play a crucial role in monitoring weather, assessing agricultural conditions, and supporting disaster management. By providing continuous coverage from geostationary orbit, EOS-05 is expected to enhance India's ability to track and respond to such events in near real time.
The mission comes after the loss of its predecessor, and its success would restore a capability that has been absent since the 2021 failure. As ISRO prepares for the launch, the agency has not released further details about the mission timeline or any contingency plans.