Hyderabad, 04 September, 2026 (Maxim News): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the Earth observation satellite EOS-05 from Sriharikota early Friday.
The rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 2:55 am IST in a pre-dawn mission. Soon after liftoff, the satellite was successfully injected into its intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.
ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan confirmed the successful mission and said the satellite was precisely placed in the required orbit.
“I am very happy to announce that the GSLV-F17 vehicle has successfully and precisely injected the advanced Earth observation satellite EOS-05,” Narayanan said after the launch.
EOS-05 to Provide Advanced Earth Observation
Mission Director Thomas Kurian described EOS-05 as a uniquely configured Earth observation satellite capable of near-real-time imaging. He said it was the heaviest satellite launched by the GSLV into a GTO or sub-GTO orbit.
The satellite is designed to provide India with a continuous bird’s-eye view of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 kilometres above Earth.
The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has a liftoff mass of around 420.5 tonnes, making it one of India’s largest operational launch vehicles.
Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh welcomed the successful launch and said the mission demonstrated India’s growing capabilities in space technology.
Singh described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.
Meanwhile, ISRO Chief Narayanan said work is progressing on the country’s first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, which is targeted for launch during the current calendar year.
He said preparations for the mission are progressing “vigorously and systematically”. Narayanan also said six more launches, including the navigation satellite NVS-03, are targeted during the current financial year.
The successful GSLV-F17 mission marks another significant step in India’s expanding space programme and strengthens ISRO’s capabilities in advanced Earth observation and satellite launches.
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