ISRO To Launch EOS-5 Satellite Aboard GSLV-F17 On September 4

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for a major return to the launchpad with the planned September 4 launch of EOS 5 aboard the GSLV F17 rocket. The mission comes nearly eight months after ISRO’s previous launch and follows two consecutive failures involving its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan told NDTV that the mission will be conducted in the early hours of September 4. EOS 5, previously known as GISAT 1A, is designed to provide a continuous bird’s-eye view of India from geostationary orbit, nearly 36,000 kilometres above Earth.

The satellite is expected to repeatedly image the Indian landmass throughout the day, providing rapid information on cyclones, floods, cloudbursts, forest fires and other developing events. Its observations could support disaster management agencies, weather forecasters, agricultural planners and security agencies, making the mission important for monitoring a country increasingly exposed to extreme weather events.

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EOS 5 is also the successor to an earlier mission that ended unsuccessfully in August 2021. The GSLV F10 carrying EOS 03, the original GISAT satellite, failed after a problem with its indigenous cryogenic upper stage. The setback forced ISRO to reassess aspects of the mission and work towards restoring the Earth observation capability planned through the programme.

The upcoming mission will use the GSLV Mk II, which does not share engines or critical propulsion systems with the PSLV currently grounded for investigations and validation tests following its two successive failures. The GSLV Mk II recently demonstrated its capabilities by launching the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, strengthening confidence in the vehicle and its cryogenic propulsion technology.

The EOS 5 launch is part of an ambitious roadmap outlined by Narayanan, with ISRO planning seven launches between now and March 2027, including the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission. The space agency also aims to realise 12 satellites and conduct eight launch vehicle missions during the current financial year, covering communication, navigation, Earth observation and scientific research while supporting India’s future human spaceflight and exploration programmes.

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