The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch its latest Earth Observation Satellite EOS-01 on 7th November 2020. The satellites will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Alongside EOS-01, nine international customer satellites will also be launched as part of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle’s (PSLV-C49) 51st mission.
Understanding EOS-01 and its Applications
EOS-01 is a new addition to the variety of Earth Observation Satellites by ISRO. Intended for applications such as agriculture, forestry, and disaster management support, EOS-01 employs remote sensing technology. This enables the gathering of information about Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological systems. As with many Earth observation satellites, EOS-01 is set to operate on a sun-synchronous orbit.
ISRO has an impressive history of launching other Earth observation satellites, including RESOURCESAT-2, CARTOSAT-1, RISAT-1 and 2, OCEANSAT-2, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL and SCATSAT-1, INSAT-3DR, and more.
About the Nine Customer Satellites
In addition to EOS-01, nine customer satellites are being launched as part of a commercial agreement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). NSIL is a wholly-owned Government of India company which operates under the administrative control of the Department of Space (DOS). As the commercial arm of ISRO, NSIL aims to enable Indian industries to engage in high technology space-related activities while promoting and commercially exploiting the products and services that arise from the Indian space program.
NSIL’s main business areas include the production of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) through industry, production and marketing of space-based services, satellite building, technology transfer, product marketing, and consultancy services.
New Initiatives by the Government of India
The Government of India recently established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). This independent nodal agency under the Department of Space aims to promote private sector participation in space-related activities and utilization of India’s space resources.
Key Details About the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is India’s third-generation launch vehicle and the first equipped with liquid stages. Since its first successful launch in October 1994, PSLV has been employed for two milestone missions – Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles
Other significant launch vehicles developed by India include Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II and GSLV Mk-III. The GSLV Mk II, currently in operation, is the largest launch vehicle developed by India. It is a three-stage vehicle with fourth-generation features and four liquid strap-ons.
GSLV Mk-III, used to launch the Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, is a heavy lift launch vehicle that can carry 4-ton class of satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) or about 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), twice the capability of the GSLV Mk II.