04 September,2026 10:56 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
The GSLV-F17 rocket lifted off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 2:55 am IST on Friday. Pic/PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the mission as another significant achievement for India's space programme.
The Prime Minister said the launch reflected the growing capabilities, innovation and technological expertise of India's space sector.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation. The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India's first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define India's space sector."
The Prime Minister also pointed to the increasing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying private and industrial participation was strengthening the country's wider space ecosystem.
"The growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry is adding new strength and scale to our space programme and expanding India's capabilities across the entire space ecosystem," he said.
The launch comes as India continues to expand its space capabilities and increase the role of domestic industry in the development, manufacturing and operation of space technologies.
The GSLV-F17 rocket lifted off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 2:55 am IST on Friday.
The pre-dawn launch placed the EOS-05 satellite into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit, according to mission details.
ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the mission and said the launch vehicle had precisely injected the advanced Earth observation satellite into its intended orbit.
The successful mission marked another operational flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle programme, which has played an important role in expanding India's ability to deploy heavier satellites.
Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme.
He said the mission was the 19th flight of the GSLV and carried a specially configured Earth observation satellite designed to provide near-real-time imaging.
Kurian also said EOS-05 was the heaviest satellite placed by the GSLV into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.
He credited the successful mission to years of preparation and the work of scientists, engineers and other teams associated with the programme.
The EOS-05 mission is intended to strengthen India's Earth observation capabilities by providing a continuous view of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above the Earth.
The satellite is expected to support advanced imaging and observation applications and is capable of providing data for a range of uses.
The GSLV-F17 launch vehicle stands 51.7 metres tall and has a liftoff mass of approximately 420.5 tonnes, making it one of India's major operational launch systems.
Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also welcomed the successful mission, saying India's space programme continued to achieve important milestones and strengthen the country's position in the global space sector.
"EOS-05 is a state-of-the-art Earth Observation satellite and India's first imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit, enabling advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands," Jitendra Singh wrote on X.
