Giant leap for India in Space: ISRO successfully deploys India’s first geosynchronous imaging satellite into orbit

SRIHARIKOTA (Andhra Pradesh): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully deployed the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Friday, marking another major milestone in India’s space programme.

ISRO chief V Narayanan on Friday announced that the GSLV-F17 vehicle has successfully and precisely injected the Advanced Earth Observation Satellite-05 (EOS-05), the geo-imaging star satellite, into its intended and required orbit.

The launch took place from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR. The launch was carried on a GSLV-F17 rocket which is the 19th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) as it EOS-05 towards a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO).

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲!

ISRO’s state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite EOS-05, India’s first imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit, was successfully launched aboard a GSLV rocket from… pic.twitter.com/jqdQ9bsEyt

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 4, 2026

Narayanan said the successful mission was a significant achievement for India’s space programme and that the satellite’s health was perfectly alright after its injection into orbit. “I am very happy to announce that the GSLV-F17 vehicle has successfully and precisely injected the Advanced Earth Observation Satellite 05, the geo-imaging satellite, in the intended and required orbit,” Narayanan said right after the mission success was announced at the space center.

He added that once EOS-05 is operationalised in orbit, it will become India’s first dedicated imaging satellite from the geo orbit and provide important strategic data for the country. “Today, we have injected the heaviest satellite, 2367 kgs, using this launch vehicle. The health of the satellite is perfectly alright,” the ISRO chief said.

Narayanan credited the successful mission to the collective efforts of the entire ISRO team, along with its industrial partners and the academic community. “This success is the culmination of the hard work of the entire ISRO team along with our industrial partners and academia. On this occasion, I congratulate each and every one of you. This is a great achievement in our country’s space programme,” he said.

#WATCH | Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh: ISRO Chief V Narayanan says, “I am very happy to announce that the GSLV-F17 vehicle has successfully and precisely injected the Advanced Earth Observation Satellite 05, the geo-imaging star satellite, in the intended and required orbit…… pic.twitter.com/bW6mHJ3wzL

— ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2026

Praising the ISRO and scientists involved in the mission, Minister of State in Department of Space, Jitendra Singh wrote on X, “Another giant leap for India in Space! Kudos to Team @isro on the successful launch of GSLV-F17/EOS-05. EOS-05 is a state-of-the-art Earth Observation satellite and India’s first imaging satellite from Geosynchronous Orbit, enabling advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multi-spectral and hyperspectral bands. With the visionary leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, India’s space capabilities continue to scale new heights, strengthening our position as a global space power.”

The mission attracted considerable public interest, with students, teachers and space enthusiasts gathering at Sriharikota to witness the launch. Despite rain, people remained at the launch-viewing area, eager to watch the rocket lift off.

EOS-05 is a state-of-the-art Earth observation spacecraft and is significant for being India’s first imaging satellite intended for placement in a geosynchronous orbit. From such an orbit, the satellite is designed to provide repeated observations of large areas of the Earth and provide information related to weather, agricultural updates, among others.

The spacecraft was carried by GSLV-F17, whose payload fairing has a 4-metre-diameter ogive composite configuration. The vehicle’s mission is to place EOS-05 into a Sub-GTO, following which the satellite is expected to reach its operational orbit.

The mission is also an important flight for the GSLV programme, which is designed to launch heavier spacecraft towards geosynchronous orbits. The previous GSLV mission, GSLV-F16, successfully launched the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite in July 2025.

With the successful launch of GSLV-F17, ISRO has once again demonstrated the capabilities of its GSLV platform while advancing India’s Earth observation programme. (ANI)