'Eye in sky': ISRO launches advanced earth observation satellite for 'strategic data'

ISRO on Friday made its way into history books yet again with the successful launch of the country's first-ever imaging satellite in geo-orbit, placing the over 2,300 kg payload into a precise orbit using a GSLV rocket.

Friday's launch marked the space agency's maiden success of 2026.

The EOS-05 satellite was successfully placed in the intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit, about 18 minutes after it lifted off from the spaceport here, ISRO announced.

While several Earth observation satellites operate in low Earth orbit (LEO), the EOS-5 satellite is set to hover at roughly 36,000 km above Earth, the geosynchronous orbit, where it will match Earth's rotational speed.

At over 2,300 kg, it is the heaviest satellite ever carried by a GSLV, and it was perfectly on track.

"The eye in the sky," as one of the senior scientists involved in the mission described the satellite, is set to provide real-time imagery and help the nation in areas including agriculture and disaster management.

The mission's success, following some earlier failures, was apparently a morale booster.

A beaming ISRO chief V Narayanan said: "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."

"This is the 107th launch from Sriharikota and the 19th mission of GSLV," the Secretary, Department of Space, flanked by key scientists involved in the mission, said soon after the launch.

He recalled that the first launch of GSLV (D1) carried a payload of 1,536 kg and that, since then, ISRO has gradually improved GSLV performance by optimising structural mass and improving propulsion systems. "Today, we have injected the heaviest satellite, 2,367 kg, using this launch vehicle."

Once the EOS-05 is operationalised in orbit, it will become India's first dedicated imaging satellite from the geo-orbit, providing "strategic data" for the country, he said.

Quoting satellite data, he confirmed that all systems were operating well and that the solar panel had been successfully deployed. "The health of the satellite is perfectly alright," he said.

"This is a great achievement for our country's space programme because this is the first EOS that will be placed on the geo platform for the national activities."

In the days to come, the orbit-raising manoeuvring will be done, and the satellite will be elevated to the required orbit and placed in the geo platform, he said, adding that the success is the culmination of teamwork between ISRO and its industrial partners.

Mission Director Thomas Kurien said the mission carried a uniquely configured EOS capable of near real-time imaging. "It is the heaviest satellite ever launched by GSLV into a GTO or sub-GTO orbit," he added.

Project Director (Satellite) Imteyaz Ahamad described the EOS-05 as a unique, one-of-a-kind satellite with multi-band operating capabilities. "It is a complex satellite in terms of configuration, content and capability."

Earlier, at the end of a smooth 27-hour countdown, which commenced at 23.30 hours on Wednesday, the rocket began its ascent at 2.55 AM from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The odd hour and rain could not deter the public's enthusiasm, as many, armed with umbrellas, turned up in good numbers to cheer the launch.

The 3-stage, 51.7-meter Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV), with its third stage being cryogenic, has a lift-off mass of 420.5 tonnes, and the heavy satellite is ensconced on the rocket nose cone.

The GSLV-F17/EOS-05 mission is said to replace the unsuccessful GSLV-F-10/EOS-03 mission of 2021.