GSLV-F17 places2,367-kg EOS-05, India’s first imaging satellite, into the intended Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit .
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday (September 4, 2026) successfully launched its advanced Earth observation satellite EOS-05 aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F17).
The GSLV, on its 19th flight, placed the 2,367-kg EOS-05 into the intended Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO) about 18 minutes after lifting off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2.55 a.m.
The EOS-05 is India’s first imaging satellite designed to monitor the Earth from geosynchronous orbit, about 36,000 km above the Earth.
“I am very happy to announce that the GSLV-F17 vehicle has successfully and precisely injected the advanced Earth observation satellite EOS-05 into the intended and required orbit, “ ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan said.
He said this was the 107th launch from the spaceport in Sriharikota and the 19th mission of the GSLV.
“The first launch of the GSLV- D1 was done with a payload of 1,536 kg. From that, we have gradually improved the performance of this vehicle by optimising the structural mass, improving the propulsion systems. Today, we have injected the heaviest satellite, a 2,367-kg satellite, using this launch vehicle,” he added.
Dr. Narayanan said that once operationalised, EOS-05 would become India’s first dedicated imaging satellite operating from the geosynchronous orbit, providing important strategic data for our country.
“From the satellite data, we confirm that all the valves are operating perfectly, the solar panel is deployed, and the health of the satellite is perfectly alright. In the coming days, we will raise the orbit and take it to the required orbit and place the satellite in the Geo platform for national activities,” he said.
The EOS-05, dubbed the “Eye in the Sky”, will provide real-time imagery, helping sectors like agriculture, environment and disaster management, among others.
Success after 8-month lull
The successful launch comes as a huge relief for ISRO, which has not carried out a launch since the failure of the PSLV-C62 mission carrying the EOS-N1 earth observation satellite on January 12, 2026.
The space agency, following the back-to-back failures of the PSLV-C62 in January 2026 and the PSLV-C61 on May 18, 2025, had taken a cautious approach and refrained from carrying out further launches.
Though seven missions, including the GSLV-F17/EOS-05 mission, had been scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2026, ISRO did not launch any satellites during the period.
The successful launch of the 2367-kg EOS-05 also puts behind the failure ISRO had encountered in August 2021 with the GSLV-F10/EOS-03 mission.
Back then, the GSLV-F10/EOS-03 performed normally during the first and second stages. However, the cryogenic upper stage ignition did not happen due to a technical anomaly, rendering the mission unsuccessful.
source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)