The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on September 4.
The launch was conducted from the Second Launch Pad, with the GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 towards a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO). The mission represents the 19th flight under India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) programme.
EOS-05 is an important addition to India’s growing Earth observation capabilities. The satellite has been designed for imaging from geosynchronous orbit and carries advanced instruments capable of collecting data in visible, infrared, multi-spectral and hyperspectral bands.
Positioned in a geosynchronous orbit, EOS-05 will be able to repeatedly monitor large areas of the Earth. The satellite’s observations are expected to contribute to several applications, including weather monitoring, agricultural assessment and other Earth-based studies.
Following its successful deployment into the Sub-GTO, EOS-05 is expected to undergo further orbital manoeuvres before reaching its designated operational orbit. The GSLV-F17 also features a 4-metre-wide ogive-shaped composite payload fairing to accommodate the spacecraft.
The latest mission highlights ISRO’s continued efforts to strengthen the GSLV platform and enhance India’s ability to launch heavier satellites into geosynchronous orbits.
Minister of State for the Department of Space Jitendra Singh congratulated ISRO scientists and engineers on the successful mission. In a post on X, he described the achievement as “another giant leap for India in Space” and praised the advanced imaging capabilities of EOS-05.
The launch also attracted a large number of students, teachers and space enthusiasts at Sriharikota’s viewing area. Despite the rain, spectators gathered to witness the rocket’s liftoff and celebrate another major achievement in India’s space programme.
The previous GSLV mission, GSLV-F16, successfully deployed the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite in July 2025.
With the successful launch of GSLV-F17 and EOS-05, ISRO has taken another significant step towards expanding India’s Earth observation capabilities while demonstrating the growing reliability of its geosynchronous launch vehicle programme.