ISRO's GSLV-F17 successfully places geostationary imaging satellite Gisat-1A into orbit
ISRO launched GSLV-F17 from Sriharikota, delivering the 2,367 kg Gisat-1A (EOS-05) into its intended orbit, marking its first successful launch of 2026.
On Friday, ISRO’s GSLV-F17 lifted off from Sriharikota and accurately inserted the 2,367 kg Gisat-1A (also called EOS-05) into a sub-geostationary transfer orbit, delivering India its first successful launch of 2026. The mission resolves a six-year streak of setbacks for the Gisat programme, which saw earlier attempts cancelled or lost, including the 2021 launch where the cryogenic upper stage failed to ignite. Operating from a geosynchronous position about 36,000 km above Earth, Gisat-1A will continuously image the Indian subcontinent, enabling rapid observation of cyclones, floods, fires and other fast-changing events, as well as persistent monitoring of border regions.
ISRO chairman V Narayanan described the satellite as providing “strategic data” for civilian safety and security, emphasizing it is not a spy platform. The successful flight also bolsters confidence in the GSLV-Mk2 vehicle after the PSLV-C62 failure in January and comes ahead of upcoming missions such as the uncrewed Gaganyaan flight and the NVS-03 navigation satellite launch.
Why it matters
The satellite gives India continuous, wide-area imaging for disaster management and security monitoring.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage celebrates the launch while also criticizing the Modi government, center coverage sticks to technical facts about the mission, and right-leaning coverage uses the launch to highlight the upcoming uncrewed Gaganyaan mission and refute surveillance rumors.
LEFT
Celebrates the launch as a major achievement and uses it to criticize the Modi government’s handling of ISRO.
CENTER
Reports the launch as a technical success, emphasizing the satellite’s capabilities and the restoration of confidence in India’s cryogenic launch program.
The left emphasises
- “Congratulations to the entire @isro team…" - praising the mission as a landmark achievement
- “Congress hails…slams Modi govt for ‘attack’ on ISRO” - political criticism of the government
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