ISRO GSLV-F17 Successfully Launches EOS-05 Satellite 

ISRO GSLV-F17 successfully launches EOS-05 satellite in a pre-dawn mission from Sriharikota, placing the advanced Earth observation spacecraft into its intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit. The GSLV-F17 rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 2:55 am IST on Friday. 

The successful GSLV-F17 launch marked the 19th mission of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. ISRO Chief Dr V Narayanan confirmed that the rocket precisely injected EOS-05 into the required orbit. The mission adds another advanced imaging capability to India’s Earth observation programme. 

The EOS-05 Earth observation satellite is designed to provide India with a continuous view of the country from nearly 36,000 kilometres above Earth. According to Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, the spacecraft can capture imagery across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands. 

Mission Director Thomas Kurian said EOS-05 was the heaviest satellite launched by the GSLV into a geosynchronous transfer or sub-GTO orbit. He described the mission as the result of months and years of rigorous work behind the short launch sequence. 

The launch vehicle used for the mission stands 51.7 metres tall and has a liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes. These specifications place the GSLV-F17 among India’s largest operational launch vehicles. The mission demonstrates the capabilities being developed for heavier and more advanced satellite deployments. 

The ISRO space mission in 2026 also comes as the agency prepares for upcoming launches. Dr Narayanan said systematic work is continuing for the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, which is targeted for launch during this calendar year. 

ISRO is also targeting six additional launches during the current financial year, including the NVS-03 navigation satellite. The broader launch schedule will support India’s navigation, Earth observation and human-spaceflight programmes. 

The successful GSLV-F17 launch has drawn praise from Jitendra Singh, who described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite and highlighted its imaging capabilities from geosynchronous orbit. 

With the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite now in its intended orbit, the ISRO GSLV-F17 successfully launched the EOS-05 satellite mission, adding a new imaging asset to India’s space programme while the agency moves ahead with its wider 2026 launch plans.