Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch EOS-05, an advanced Earth observation satellite, early Friday morning, September 4, aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
According to ISRO, the launch is scheduled for 2:55 am IST from the Second Launch Pad. The GSLV-F17 will place EOS-05 into a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO). ISRO has described the spacecraft as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite and India’s first imaging satellite intended for a geosynchronous orbit.
GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 was moved from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the Umbilical Tower (UT) on 28th August 2026 at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota, as preparations continue for the scheduled launch on:
🗓️ 04 Sept 2026 | ⏰ 02:55 AM IST
Livestreaming… pic.twitter.com/4nW2MUgeYh
— ISRO (@isro) September 1, 2026
The mission is significant for India’s Earth observation programme because EOS-05 is designed for near-real-time imaging of large areas at frequent intervals from geosynchronous orbit. Earlier ISRO documentation noted that the satellite is intended to support applications such as monitoring natural resources and disaster events, subject to cloud-free conditions.
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has said that all arrangements for the launch have been completed at Sriharikota. He made the remarks after offering prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, where he also placed models of the GSLV-F17 rocket before Lord Venkateswara.
The launch will mark the 19th flight of India’s GSLV, according to ISRO. The organisation said the mission represents another step in strengthening India’s indigenous space-based Earth observation capabilities and improving the delivery of Earth observation services.
The mission also comes as ISRO continues to expand its Earth observation capabilities. Its recent programmes include the NISAR mission, jointly developed with NASA, which was launched by GSLV-F16 in July 2025.
ISRO has announced live coverage of the GSLV-F17/EOS-05 mission, scheduled to begin around the launch window on Friday morning.
