Four-and-a-half years after a cryogenic upper stage anomaly led to the failure of the GSLV-F10 mission and the loss of Gisat-1 (EOS-03), ISRO is preparing to launch its replacement, Gisat-1A or EOS-05.
The 2.2-tonne class satellite is designed to provide near-real-time images of large regions at frequent intervals, similar to its predecessor. While primarily a civilian satellite, it is expected to significantly aid India’s armed forces by enabling more effective operational planning through continuous, cloud-free observation of the subcontinent. EOS-05 will generate valuable data for agriculture, forestry, mineral exploration, disaster management, cloud studies, snow and glacier monitoring, and oceanography.
Multiple sources confirmed that the satellite has completed key milestones at the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru and is ready to be moved to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, possibly this week. Isro chairman V Narayanan said the satellite is currently under review and will be transported to the spaceport after final authorisation.
Isro has issued a Notice to Airmen (Notam) for the GSLV-F17 mission, with a tentative launch window between February 20 and March 5. The agency is conducting stringent checks, especially following recent PSLV failures and the earlier Gisat-1 setback in 2021.
