EOS-05: ISRO’s New Earth Observation Satellite [Prelims Bits]

02 Sep 2026

Tags: Prelims   General Science

Source: The Indian Express

  • Context: ISRO will launch EOS-05 (GISAT-1A) aboard GSLV-F17 on 4 September, 2:55 am from Sriharikota, ending a ~7-month launch hiatus after the PSLV-C62 failure.
  • EOS-05: Earth observation satellite with 10-year mission life, designed for frequent imaging of large areas for applications such as disaster monitoring, agriculture and forestry.
  • Orbit: India’s first Earth observation satellite in a higher geosynchronous orbit; most Earth-observation satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
  • Nomenclature: GISAT-1A → EOS-05 under ISRO’s new satellite nomenclature; it replaces GISAT-1/EOS-03, whose 2021 launch failed due to cryogenic upper-stage ignition failure.
  • Previous failure: PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 (12 January 2026) failed to inject the satellite into its intended orbit due to an anomaly in the rocket’s third stage.
  • Prelims Edge: GSLV uses a cryogenic upper stage and is designed primarily for placing heavier payloads into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO); PSLV is ISRO’s versatile workhorse, widely used for Earth-observation satellites.

Prelims Question

Q1. With reference to Earth-observation satellites, which one of the following best explains the significance of placing EOS-05 in a higher geosynchronous orbit?

A. It enables the satellite to remain permanently above the same point on Earth and thereby provide continuous observation of a large region.

B. It allows the satellite to orbit much closer to Earth, thereby producing higher-resolution images of small areas.

C. It eliminates the need for repeated imaging because a geosynchronous satellite can observe the entire Earth simultaneously.

D. It enables the satellite to avoid atmospheric drag completely and therefore remain in orbit indefinitely.

Answer: A

Explanation: A geosynchronous orbit has a much longer orbital period than LEO and can provide frequent observation of a broad region. A geostationary orbit is the special case in which the satellite appears fixed over one point on the equator. The question tests the distinction between LEO-based Earth observation and higher geosynchronous-orbit applications.