ISRO's EOS-09 Satellite Mission: A Leap Toward All-Weather Earth Observation

Introduction

On May 18, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) embarked on its 101st mission with the launch of the EOS-09 satellite aboard the PSLV-C61 rocket. This mission aimed to enhance India's capabilities in Earth observation, particularly in all-weather and all-light conditions. However, despite a promising start, the mission faced an unexpected setback.(@EconomicTimes)

Mission Overview

The Launch

The PSLV-C61 rocket lifted off from the First Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 5:59 AM IST. Weighing 1,696.24 kg, the EOS-09 satellite was designed to be deployed into a sun-synchronous polar orbit, allowing for consistent observation of Earth's surface. The mission was poised to contribute significantly to India's Earth observation capabilities.(@EconomicTimes)

Satellite Specifications

• Name: EOS-09 (Earth Observation Satellite-09)

• Payload: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

• Mission Life: 5 years (planned)

• Orbit: Sun-synchronous polar orbit

• Launch Mass: 1,696.24 kg

• Manufacturer: ISRO

• Orbit Inclination: 97.6°

• Orbit Period: 95.2 minutes(mint, @EconomicTimes, Wikipedia, The Times of India)

The SAR payload was intended to provide high-resolution imaging capabilities, enabling observations both day and night, and through cloud cover. This would have been particularly beneficial for applications in agriculture, disaster management, and border surveillance.(Space, @EconomicTimes)

The Setback

Despite the successful launch and initial stages of the mission, an anomaly occurred during the third stage of the PSLV-C61 rocket. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that the mission could not be accomplished due to a drop in chamber pressure in the motor case, which prevented the satellite from reaching its intended orbit. This technical issue led to the failure of the EOS-09 mission.(@EconomicTimes, AP News)

Significance of the Mission

Strategic and Civilian Applications

EOS-09 was designed to provide continuous and reliable remote sensing data for operational applications across various sectors. The satellite's capabilities were expected to enhance India's surveillance and remote sensing powers, contributing to national security and disaster management efforts.(ISRO, @EconomicTimes)

Technological Advancements

The mission represented a significant step forward in ISRO's technological capabilities. The use of a synthetic aperture radar payload capable of providing images under all-weather conditions was a notable advancement. Additionally, the planned use of Orbit Change Thrusters (OCT) for post-mission disposal demonstrated ISRO's commitment to responsible space operations.(www.ndtv.com, ISRO)

ISRO's Response

In the wake of the mission's failure, ISRO has initiated a technical analysis to determine the cause of the anomaly. The organization remains committed to its objectives and is expected to take corrective measures to prevent similar issues in future missions. ISRO's track record of successful missions and its proactive approach to problem-solving instill confidence in its ability to overcome this setback.(@EconomicTimes)

Conclusion

While the failure of the EOS-09 mission is a setback, it does not diminish the progress ISRO has made in space exploration and technology. The lessons learned from this mission will contribute to the refinement of future endeavors. As ISRO continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, it remains a beacon of innovation and resilience.