NEW DELHI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday successfully launched EOS-05, India’s first-ever geosynchronous orbit imaging satellite, marking another significant milestone for the country’s space programme.
The over 2,300-kg Earth observation satellite was carried aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. It was placed into the intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit about 18 minutes after liftoff, ISRO said.
Described by a senior scientist associated with the mission as an “eye in the sky”, EOS-05 is expected to provide real-time imagery and strengthen India’s capabilities in areas such as agriculture, disaster management and Earth observation.
The launch also marked ISRO’s maiden successful mission of 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the space agency, calling the achievement a “proud moment” for the country. In a post on X, he said the successful GSLV-F17 mission reflected the “excellence, innovation and growing capabilities” of India’s space sector.
Modi also said the expanding partnership between ISRO and Indian industry was providing greater strength and scale to the country’s space programme and enhancing capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.
The Congress too congratulated ISRO on the successful mission. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said EOS-05 would further strengthen India’s Earth observation capabilities.
“We are immensely proud of our scientists, space engineers and researchers whose dedication and ingenuity continue to take India’s space programme to greater heights,” Kharge said.
He said the foundations of India’s space programme were laid by the “makers of modern India” with vision and foresight, while successive generations of scientists had built upon that legacy through remarkable achievements.
Kharge also reaffirmed the Congress’ commitment to scientific temper and space research, while congratulating the entire ISRO team involved in the GSLV-F17/EOS-05 mission.