The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved another major milestone with the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 carrying the advanced Earth observation satellite EOS-05 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The rocket lifted off at 2:55 am IST on Friday in a pre-dawn mission. Soon after launch, the EOS-05 satellite was successfully injected into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan announced the success, stating that the GSLV vehicle precisely placed the advanced Geo-Imaging Satellite into its intended orbit. With this mission, the GSLV programme completed its 19th successful mission.
Eye in the Sky at 36,000 km
EOS-05 has been designed to provide India with a continuous bird’s-eye view of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 kilometres above Earth.
The satellite is equipped with advanced imaging capabilities across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands, enabling near-real-time Earth observation and high-quality imaging.
Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh hailed the successful mission, saying the achievement further strengthens India's position as a global space power.
51.7-Metre Rocket, 420.5-Tonne Liftoff Mass
The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has a liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes, placing it among India's largest operational launch vehicles.
Mission officials said EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite ever launched by GSLV into a GTO or sub-GTO orbit. The mission team described the achievement as the result of months and years of rigorous preparation and effort.
Gaganyaan Mission Work Progressing Rapidly
Following the successful launch, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan also provided an important update on India's human spaceflight programme.
He said that work is progressing vigorously and systematically towards the launch of the country's first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission within this calendar year.
ISRO is also targeting six more launches during the financial year, including the navigation satellite NVS-03.
The successful EOS-05 mission marks another significant step forward for India's space programme, expanding the country's Earth-observation capabilities while paving the way for ambitious upcoming missions.
