ISRO to launch All-Weather EOS-09 satellite on May 18 from Sriharikota

India’s space agency ISRO is gearing up for the launch of its 101st satellite, EOS-09, on May 18, 2025, at 5:59 AM IST. The satellite will be deployed using the PSLV-C61 launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

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Speaking at a media briefing in Tirumala, ISRO Chairman S. Narayanan, along with key officials from SHAR and NARL, announced the mission details. As per custom, a symbolic model of the satellite will be presented at the Tirumala temple, seeking divine grace before liftoff.

The PSLV-C61 stands 44.5 meters tall and weighs 321 tonnes, equipped with four stages and six solid strap-on boosters to carry its payload into orbit. EOS-09, the satellite on board, weighs just under 1.7 tonnes and is designed to operate in a sun-synchronous orbit, ideal for capturing consistent Earth imagery.

A major highlight of EOS-09 is its Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), enabling it to collect detailed surface images even through cloud cover or at night. The satellite will support vital activities like disaster response, crop monitoring, and weather forecasting. It is designed to remain active for five years.

ISRO officials also emphasized the satellite’s sustainable end-of-life plan, with fuel reserved for deorbiting safely to reduce space debris.

This launch reflects ISRO’s commitment to using innovative satellite technologies for national development and environmental monitoring.