ISRO launches EOS-05, India's first geo-imaging satellite

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its Advanced Earth Observation Satellite-05 (EOS-05) aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) F17 rocket on Friday, September 4, 2026. The rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 2:55 a.m. Indian Standard Time, precisely injecting the satellite into its intended SubGeosynchronous Transfer Orbit (SubGTO). ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced the mission's success, confirming that the EOS-05 satellite, also referred to as a geoimaging satellite, is in perfect health. This launch marks a significant milestone for India's space program, representing the country's first dedicated imaging satellite to operate from a geosynchronous orbit. Once operational, EOS-05 is expected to provide crucial strategic data for national applications. The GSLV-F17 rocket carried the 2,367-kilogram EOS-05, making it the heaviest satellite ever launched by the GSLV vehicle. The satellite is designed to provide a continuous view of India and its surrounding regions from an altitude of approximately 36,000 kilometers.