ISRO Executes Textbook Launch, GSLV-F17 Mission Places EOS-05 Satellite in Orbit
Sriharikota:
Port Wings News Network:
In the wee hours on 4 September 2026, exactly around 2.55 AM IST, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched it GSLV-F17 [Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle] carrying EOS-05, India’s first ever imaging satellite to monitor from Geosynchronous orbit about 36,000 km above the Earth, in a clinical precision from second launch pad and placed it into a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit at 3.14 M IST.
Also, this launch marked ISRO’s first successful mission for the year 2026.
Addressing the media after the successful launch, ISRO Chief V Narayanan said, “I am very happy to announce that the GSLV F-17 vehicle has successfully and precisely injected the advanced EOS-05 geo imaging satellite in the intended and required orbit.”
Narayanan stated: “This is the 107th launch from Sriharikota [SHAR] and the 19th mission of GSLV. Six more launches have been targeted for this financial year, including NVS-03, a navigation satellite. The teams are also working on the Gaganyaan mission, with the first uncrewed mission under the programme scheduled for launch during this financial year.”
The inclination of the satellite is 19.28 degrees, while the payload mass is 2,367 kg, making it the heaviest satellite launched by India so far, he said.
He also noted that this is the heaviest satellite ever launched into a geosynchronous orbit, with a lift-off mass of 420.5 tonnes.
Besides senior officials from the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, former ISRO directors Dr K Radhakrishnan, K Kiran Kumar and S Somanath were also present at the launch site.
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