Overview
- The GSLV‑F17 lifted off at 2:55 am IST on Friday, Sept 4, 2026, from Sriharikota and placed the 2,367 kg EOS‑05 into its planned sub‑geosynchronous transfer orbit about 18 minutes after launch.
- ISRO confirmed the spacecraft is healthy with solar panels deployed and will use onboard thrusters over the coming days to raise and circularize into its operational geosynchronous slot.
- The launch vehicle delivered a slightly better‑than‑nominal apogee, which lowers EOS‑05's fuel burn during orbit raising and may extend the satellite's operational life.
- EOS‑05 is India's first imaging satellite designed to operate from geosynchronous orbit and will provide repeated visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral observations for disaster response, agriculture, weather and national applications.
- The mission ends an almost eight‑month pause in ISRO flight activity, restores confidence in the GSLV heavy‑lift programme, and clears the way for several planned launches this financial year while drawing praise from government leaders and industry partners.