ISRO is launching EOS-09, its 101st satellite, on May 18, 2025, from Sriharikota. The satellite will enhance surveillance capabilities and is seen as vital for national security, especially following recent security incidents. ISRO is also preparing to launch the NISAR satellite to monitor Earth’s changes using dual-band radar technology.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is poised to launch its 101st satellite, EOS-09, using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) on May 18, 2025. The launch will occur at 5:59 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre located in Sriharikota. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan made this announcement, marking the event as significant for the organization.
The PSLV-C61 rocket has been moved to the Mobile Service Tower at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Final preparations and checks are currently underway to ensure a successful launch. Former ISRO scientist, Purohit, has described EOS-09 as a successor to the earlier RISAT-1 mission. He notes that this launch is especially timely and pivotal in strategic national interests.
Purohit elaborated, stating, “It strengthens monitoring at borders and coasts, particularly with respect to sensitive areas. The satellite can detect ingress or suspicious movement deemed vital in anti-terror operations, especially after the recent Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.”
In line with this, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan emphasized the essential role satellite technology plays in national security and governance. He remarked, “With the PSLV-C61/EOS-09 mission, ISRO continues to demonstrate its commitment to both technological excellence and the national interest.”
Further echoing these sentiments, IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka highlighted the continuous need to enhance capabilities within the space sector. ISRO is not only focused on EOS-09 but is also preparing for the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite via the GSLV-F16 mission.
NISAR aims to utilize dual-band radar technology provided by both NASA and ISRO, which will monitor changes to Earth’s surface, various ecosystems, and potentially devastating natural disasters. Its data promises to offer invaluable insights into the dynamics of our planet.
The EOS-09 satellite embodies advanced Earth observation technology, boasting C-band synthetic aperture radar, enabling high-resolution imaging regardless of weather conditions or time of day. This strategic advantage offers improved monitoring and management capabilities in multiple sectors, further solidifying India’s surveillance competencies in space.
The upcoming launch of the EOS-09 satellite by ISRO on May 18, 2025, marks an important advancement for India’s surveillance technology, particularly within national security. Equipped with sophisticated radar capabilities, this satellite follows the earlier RISAT-1 and aims to enhance monitoring at sensitive border areas. It also coincides with further developments, such as the NISAR mission, showcasing ISRO’s continuous commitment to technological progress and national interests.
Original Source: timesofoman.com
