New Delhi, May 12 – India is set to launch the EOS-09 (RISAT-1B) earth observation satellite on May 18 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, further enhancing the country’s all-weather surveillance capabilities from space.
PSLV to Carry EOS-09 into Orbit
According to officials, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will deploy its trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to launch the 1,710-kg satellite at 5:59 a.m. on Sunday. The mission is poised to strengthen India’s remote sensing infrastructure by providing high-resolution imagery 24/7, regardless of weather conditions.Satellite Equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar
EOS-09 has a C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to capture sharp, detailed images of the Earth’s surface day and night and in all weather conditions. This capability is critical for a wide range of sectors, including:- Agriculture and forestry monitoring
- Disaster management and flood forecasting
- Urban planning and infrastructure development
- Border surveillance and national security
Strategic Augmentation of Earth Observation Network
EOS-09 is a successor to RISAT-1 and is part of India's growing constellation of Earth observation satellites. It will work with other missions such as Resourcesat, Cartosat, and RISAT-2B, enhancing the country’s ability to generate real-time, high-quality data across various terrains.Lawmakers to Witness Launch Firsthand
Over two dozen Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology are scheduled to witness the launch live from Sriharikota. Later in the evening, the delegation will travel to Tirupati to visit a significant science and technology institute as part of their field engagement.The launch of EOS-09 marks another significant step in India's pursuit of technological excellence in space-based earth observation and its strategic use in governance and national development.