ISRO Prepares for PSLV-C61 Launch, Advancing Surveillance and Agricultural Monitoring

The Indian Space Research Organisation is set to launch the PSLV-C61 mission on May 18, 2025, carrying the EOS-09 Earth Observation Satellite. The 22-hour countdown began at 7:59 am on May 17, marking ISRO’s 101st mission and the 63rd flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.  

 

Mission Highlights:  

- EOS-09, also known as RISAT-1B, is designed to provide high-resolution, all-weather imaging for applications such as agriculture, forestry, disaster management, urban planning, and national security.  

- The satellite weighs approximately 1,696 kilograms and will be placed in a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit after a 17-minute journey.  

- EOS-09 will complement existing satellites like Resourcesat, Cartosat, and RISAT-2B, enhancing India’s remote sensing capabilities.  

- The mission life of EOS-09 is expected to be five years, with a planned controlled de-orbiting process to minimize space debris after its operational lifespan.  

- The satellite’s advanced synthetic aperture radar technology will enable continuous imaging, supporting real-time surveillance and environmental tracking.  

 

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan emphasized the strategic importance of EOS-09, highlighting its role in strengthening India’s border surveillance and disaster response capabilities. The launch will be conducted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, with scientists closely monitoring the deployment process.  

 

Sources: Outlook India, Economic Times, India TV News.