ISRO Launches Advanced Imaging Satellite EOS-05

• EOS-05 is an advanced Earth Observation (EO) satellite developed by ISRO.
• It is India’s first imaging satellite designed to operate from a Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO).
• Launch Vehicle: GSLV-F17 (GSLV Mk-II).
• Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota.
• Weight: Approximately 2,367 kg, making it India’s heaviest Earth-observation satellite so far.
• The satellite was initially placed in a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO) and will subsequently undergo orbit-raising manoeuvres.
• Operational altitude will be approximately 36,000 km above Earth.

Why is Geosynchronous Orbit Important?

• Continuous observation: A satellite in geosynchronous orbit can repeatedly observe the same broad geographical region.
• Large-area imaging: Particularly useful for monitoring large parts of the Indian subcontinent.
• Near-real-time applications: Supports frequent monitoring of rapidly changing events.
• Applications:
  • Disaster management
  • Agriculture
  • Urban and infrastructure planning
  • Weather/environmental monitoring
  • National security and strategic surveillance

GSLV-F17

·         GSLV: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.

• F17: 17th flight designation of the GSLV series.
• 19th GSLV flight: GSLV-F17 is the 19th flight of India’s GSLV.
• Uses an indigenous cryogenic upper stage, an important technology for placing heavier payloads into higher orbits.

Important Distinction for Prelims

• Geostationary orbit (GEO): A special type of geosynchronous orbit that is circular and lies over the equator, making the satellite appear stationary over one point on Earth.
• Geosynchronous orbit: Orbital period matches Earth’s rotation, but the orbit need not be exactly equatorial or circular.
• EOS-05: Designed as an imaging satellite for operation from geosynchronous orbit.

UPSC Prelims Questions

Q1. With reference to EOS-05, consider the following statements:

1. It is an Earth Observation satellite developed by ISRO.
2. It is India’s first imaging satellite designed to operate from geosynchronous orbit.
3. It was launched using the GSLV-F17 launch vehicle.
4. It was directly placed into a geostationary orbit immediately after launch.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1 — Correct: EOS-05 is an Earth Observation satellite.
• Statement 2 — Correct: It is India’s first imaging satellite designed for geosynchronous orbit.
• Statement 3 — Correct: It was launched by GSLV-F17.
• Statement 4 — Incorrect: It was first injected into a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO) and will undergo orbit-raising manoeuvres.