Key Takeaways

• GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05 into a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit early Friday morning.
• This mission marks India’s first imaging satellite operating from a geosynchronous orbit, enhancing strategic data capabilities.
• The satellite weighs 2,367kg, making it the heaviest payload carried by the GSLV rocket in its history.
• Isro chairman V Narayanan confirmed precise injection and outlined six more launches planned for the financial year.

SRIHARIKOTA: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched EOS-05, India’s first imaging satellite designed to operate from a geosynchronous orbit, aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket in the early hours of Friday. The 51.7-metre-tall, 420.5-tonne, three-stage rocket lifted off from the second launch pad at Sriharikota at 2:55 am, placing the approximately 2,367kg Earth observation satellite into its intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

This event marked the 19th flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) series and the 107th launch from the Sriharikota spaceport. The GSLV-F17 vehicle was equipped with a S139 solid core, four L40H liquid strap-ons, a GL40HT liquid second stage, and a CUS15 indigenous cryogenic upper stage, alongside a four-metre composite ogive payload fairing. Upon separation, EOS-05 was injected into a geosynchronous transfer orbit characterized by a nominal perigee of 171km, an apogee of 31026km, and an inclination of 19.28 degrees. The satellite will utilize its onboard thrusters to execute a series of manoeuvres to reach its final operational orbit.

Isro chairman V Narayanan, addressing the press from the mission control complex immediately after the launch, confirmed that the rocket had injected the satellite into the intended orbit with precision. Highlighting the technological advancements behind the mission, Narayanan noted the significant increase in payload capacity over the years. "From launching 1536kg payload in the first GSLV launch, the rocket has carried the heaviest payload in its history at 2367kg," he stated. He further explained that this capability was achieved by gradually improving the vehicle's performance through the optimization of structural mass and enhancements to the propulsion system.

The launch of EOS-05 represents a pivotal shift in India’s Earth observation capabilities. While India possessed 21 operational Earth observation satellites as of February 2026, the majority of these were located in low-Earth or sun-synchronous polar orbits. Currently, India’s geostationary-orbit Earth observation capability has been limited to meteorological satellites, specifically INSAT-3D, INSAT-3DR, and INSAT-3DS. EOS-05 distinguishes itself as India’s first dedicated imaging satellite to operate from a geosynchronous orbit, a strategic upgrade that will provide critical strategic data for national security and monitoring purposes.