ISRO successfully launches GSLV F-17 carrying EOS-05 satellite. Why it’s a milestone for India

ISRO made history once again, after it successfully launched the country’s first-ever imaging satellite into geostationary orbit on Friday, using a powerful GSLV rocket to place the 2,300 kg payload into a precise orbit.

Today’s launch from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, marks the space agency’s first success of the year 2026.

ISRO announced that the EOS-05 satellite was successfully placed in its intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit, approximately 18 minutes after lifting off from the spaceport.

While many earth observation satellites operate from a low earth orbit (LEO), the EOS-05 is designed to hover at an altitude of roughly 36,000 km. This is the geosynchronous orbit, where the satellite will match the earth's rotational speed.

At over 2,300 kg, this is the heaviest satellite the GSLV has ever carried, and it was placed perfectly on its trajectory.

The satellite is set to provide real-time imagery to assist the nation in areas like agriculture and disaster management.

Following recent failures, the mission's success is a morale booster. 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."

"This is the 107th launch from Sriharikota and the 19th mission of GSLV."

He recalled that the GSLV's first launch (D1) carried a payload of 1,536 kg. He explained how ISRO has steadily improved the rocket's performance by “optimising its structural mass and enhancing its propulsion systems”. "Today, we have injected the heaviest satellite, 2,367 kg, using this launch vehicle."

Narayanan said that once EOS-05 is operational, it will become India's first dedicated imaging satellite in geo-orbit, providing "strategic data" for the country.

He confirmed that all systems were functioning perfectly and the solar panel had successfully deployed. "The health of the satellite is perfectly alright," he said.

"In the days to come, the orbit-raising manoeuvring will be done and the satellite will be elevated to the required orbit and will be placed in the geo platform." He credited the success to the teamwork between ISRO and its industrial partners.

The launch followed a smooth 27-hour countdown that began at 23:30 on Wednesday. The rocket lifted off precisely at 2:55am from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The challenging early-morning hour and rain did not dampen public enthusiasm, as many spectators, armed with umbrellas, gathered to cheer on the launch.

The three-stage, 51.7-metre Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) has a lift-off mass of 420.5 tonnes. The rocket, which features a cryogenic third stage, carried the heavy satellite securely in its nose cone.

The GSLV-F17/EOS-05 mission is seen as a replacement for the unsuccessful GSLV-F-10/EOS-03 mission in 2021.

That mission was aborted by an onboard computer 307 seconds into its flight. An investigation of post-flight data later indicated that the failure was caused by an anomaly in the Cryogenic Upper Stage, according to ISRO.

Friday's pre-dawn launch comes after a nearly eight-month gap and marks ISRO's first success of the year. On January 12, ISRO's PSLV-C62 rocket failed to place its 16 satellites into the intended orbit after an "anomaly" occurred in the critical third stage.