ISRO launches 27.5-hour countdown for GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 satellite

ISRO initiated a 27.5-hour countdown on September 2 for the GSLV-F17 launch, which will lift off from the second pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2.55 am on Friday. The mission will deliver the Earth Observation Satellite-05 (EOS-05), a 2,367-kg payload, into a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit at roughly 36,000 km, the first time an imaging satellite will occupy such an orbit. The 51.7-metre GSLV vehicle, equipped with a cryogenic upper stage and a 4-metre composite fairing, represents one outlet flight of the launch system.

This flight follows the unsuccessful GSLV-F10 attempt in August 2021, which suffered a cryogenic ignition failure. EOS-05 is designed to supply frequent, near-real-time imagery for monitoring natural disasters, cyclones, and agricultural conditions across India and adjacent areas. The launch also continues ISRO’s partnership with NASA, which previously produced the GSLV-F16/NISAR mission. Successful deployment will enhance India’s remote-sensing capabilities and disaster-response infrastructure.