EOS-08 Satellite: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the third developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) on Friday, August 16, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. After the successful deployment of the satellite, ISRO chief S Somanath announced that the development of the SSLV is now complete.
ISRO chief S Somanath confirmed that the third developmental flight, SSLV-D3/EOS-08, was a success. He also mentioned that the rocket precisely placed the spacecraft into its intended orbit without any deviations.
ISRO Successfully Launches EOS-08 Satellite on SSLV-D3
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully launched the Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-08) on Friday using the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
This launch concludes the SSLV’s development phase and sets the stage for future missions to be carried out by Indian industry and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
Originally planned for August 15, the SSLV-D3 mission was delayed by a day and represents a major milestone in Isro’s goal of providing affordable access to space.
The launch began at 09:17 IST, and about 17 minutes later, the EOS-08 satellite, along with the SR-0 DEMOSAT, was successfully placed in a 475 km circular orbit.
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What Is EOS-08?
EOS-08 is a small yet powerful Earth Observation Satellite, weighing about 175.5 kg. It has been developed to showcase new technology and advanced tools that work well with microsatellite systems.
The satellite is built on ISRO’s Microsat/IMS-1 platform and is equipped with three cutting-edge instruments: the Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), and the SiC UV Dosimeter.
The EOIR payload can capture images using infrared light, specifically in the Mid-Wave (MWIR) and Long-Wave (LWIR) infrared bands. These bands allow the satellite to take clear pictures both day and night, as they detect heat rather than visible light.
The GNSS-R payload helps in monitoring ocean winds and measuring soil moisture, offering vital data for environmental studies. Meanwhile, the SiC UV Dosimeter measures the amount of ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, acting as a sensor to alert against high doses of harmful gamma radiation.
In simple terms, EOS-08 is a compact satellite packed with advanced tools to study the Earth’s environment, from monitoring winds and moisture to detecting radiation.
Big Day for SSLV
The SSLV-D3 mission marks a major milestone in satellite technology, showcasing advancements like an Integrated Avionics system that combines multiple functions into one unit, with a data storage capacity of up to 400 GB.
This mission reflects ISRO’s dedication to innovation and its ability to meet the increasing need for launching smaller satellites.
With the successful development of SSLV, ISRO is ready to enhance its role in the global space industry by offering flexible and efficient solutions for launching mini, micro, and nanosatellites.
The EOS-08 mission not only boosts India’s space capabilities but also solidifies its standing in the international space community.
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ISRO Successfully Launches EOS-08 Satellite FAQs
Q.1. What was the purpose of the SSLV-D3 mission?
Ans. The SSLV-D3 mission aimed to successfully launch the EOS-08 satellite, completing the development phase of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
Q.2. What is EOS-08, and what does it do?
Ans. EOS-08 is a 175.5 kg Earth Observation Satellite designed to demonstrate new technologies and advanced tools for environmental monitoring, including infrared imaging and UV radiation detection.
Q.3. What advancements were made in the SSLV-D3 mission?
Ans. The SSLV-D3 mission featured an Integrated Avionics system with up to 400 GB of data storage, reflecting ISRO’s innovation in satellite technology for smaller, more efficient launches.
Q.4. How did ISRO’s SSLV-D3 mission impact India’s space capabilities?
Ans. The SSLV-D3 mission solidified India’s space capabilities, allowing ISRO to offer flexible and efficient solutions for launching mini, micro, and nanosatellites in the global space market.
Q.5. When and where was the EOS-08 satellite launched?
Ans. The EOS-08 satellite was successfully launched on August 16, 2024, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, using the SSLV-D3 rocket.
