ISRO launches first imaging satellite into orbit

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Friday successfully deployed the country's first ever imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit.

A Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) — carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite — lifted off from ISRO's primary spaceport, the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, at 2:55 a.m. local time (2125 UTC).

The Indian space agency shared visuals of the countdown for the launch which ended with the GSLV-F17 firing up and lifting off, lighting up the dark early morning skies in its wake.

About 18 minutes later, ISRO announced that the satellite was successfully placed in the intended sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

ISRO proclaimed "Mission Success!" in a post on X.

The launch marked the 19th flight of India's GSLV. It was also ISRO's first success this year after a mission setback in January saw a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket failing to place 16 satellites in the intended orbit  

The EOS-05 — with a payload of over 2,300 kilograms — is the country's heaviest ever satellite to be carried by a GSLV.

The satellite — dubbed as India's "eye in the sky" — will operate from an altitude of roughly 36,000 kilometers above Earth, which is higher than typical low-Earth-orbit observation satellites 

The satellite will match the home planet's rotational speed. 

Its expected mandate is to bolster India's ability to obtain frequent imagery of large areas for applications including Earth observation and monitoring.

"The health of the satellite is perfectly alright," ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said after the launch. 

PM Modi lauds India's growing space capabilities 

On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the satellite's launch as "yet another outstanding achievement" by the Indian space agency and "a proud moment" for the country.

"The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India's first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define India's space sector," he said on X. 

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