Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 17: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its 101st satellite, EOS-09, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) on Sunday, May 18, marking another milestone in India's space journey.
This will be the 63rd PSLV flight and the 27th mission to use the PSLV-XL configuration, featuring six extended strap-on boosters. The launch is scheduled for 5:59 a.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, with live coverage starting at 5:29 a.m., ISRO announced on social media platform X.
Standing 44.5 meters tall and weighing 321 tonnes, PSLV-C61 will place EOS-09 into a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO). Following satellite deployment, Orbit Change Thrusters (OCTs) will lower the rocket’s PS4 stage orbit, followed by passivation—a responsible deorbiting step to reduce space debris.
EOS-09 is a C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite designed to capture high-resolution images of Earth’s surface in all weather conditions, day and night. The satellite provides critical data for applications across border monitoring, coastal surveillance, disaster response, and agricultural planning.
According to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, EOS-09 builds on the legacy of previous remote sensing missions like RISAT-1. “This mission showcases our commitment to national interest and cutting-edge technology,” he said.
Former ISRO scientist Manish Purohit highlighted EOS-09’s importance in anti-terror operations, noting its strategic value in the wake of recent incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka echoed the sentiment, stressing the continuous need to enhance India’s space capabilities.
In parallel, ISRO is gearing up for another major launch: the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission aboard GSLV-F16. This ambitious collaboration will use dual-frequency SAR systems developed by NASA and ISRO to monitor global environmental changes, ecosystem dynamics, and natural disasters.
The upcoming PSLV-C61/EOS-09 launch reinforces ISRO’s dual role in advancing both technological excellence and national security objectives, further establishing India's position as a leader in space-based Earth observation.