The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSLV-F17 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2:55 am IST on Friday. The mission placed the advanced Earth observation satellite, EOS-05, into its intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit. ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan confirmed the precise injection of the satellite, which is designed to provide near-real-time imaging from an altitude of approximately 36,000 kilometers.
Mission officials noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite ever launched by a GSLV vehicle into a GTO or sub-GTO orbit. The 51.7-meter-tall rocket, with a liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes, represents one of India's largest operational launch vehicles. This mission marks the 19th flight for the GSLV program.
Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh praised the achievement, highlighting that EOS-05 is India's first imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. He stated that the satellite enables advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral, and hyperspectral bands, further strengthening India's position as a global space power.
