ISRO returns to its former glory; EOS-05 launch successful

SRIHARIKOTA: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched EOS-05, an Earth observation satellite, into space. As scheduled, the launch was Friday morning at 2:55 am from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Usually, remote-sensing satellites orbit at an altitude of around 100 kilometres above the Earth. However, EOS-05 has been placed in an orbit at an altitude of 36,000 kilometres.

The mission, which carries India’s first Earth observation satellite to be placed in the country’s highest orbit from Earth, was launched aboard the GSLV Mk II F17 rocket. Last year, the NISAR satellite was launched jointly by NASA and ISRO using the GSLV Mk II rocket. Being placed at a higher altitude will allow the satellite to move along with the Earth’s rotation. It will remain positioned over India at all times, observing the country every half an hour and transmitting images and data.

EOS-05 will also help accurately predict and monitor forest fires, cyclones, cold waves and changes in cloud patterns. This is expected to be a major advancement in weather monitoring and disaster management. While other satellites may continuously observe a particular location, the new satellite will be capable of shifting its focus to any part of India. This will be another major advantage for the country.