GISAT-1A (Space Sector)
GISAT-1A (Space Sector)
Why In News:
ISRO is set to launch GISAT-1A, also designated EOS-05, aboard the GSLV-F17 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, in September 2026.
Source: The Indian Express, Page 6, 18 August 2026, 'After January launch vehicle debacle, GISAT-1A take off in September to end ISRO's seven month operational hiatus'
About GISAT-1A
GISAT Series: GEO Imaging Satellites are designed to provide frequent and near real-time imaging of the Indian subcontinent from geostationary orbit.
GISAT-1A/EOS-05: A 2.2-tonne-class satellite based on ISRO’s I-2K spacecraft bus, designed for continuous observation of a large geographical region.
Predecessor: GISAT-1 (EOS-03) was lost in August 2021 after the cryogenic upper stage of GSLV-F10 malfunctioned during ascent.
GISAT-1A is distinct from low-Earth-orbit remote-sensing missions such as Cartosat, Resourcesat and RISAT/EOS.
Its key advantage is high-frequency imaging of a large region, rather than very high-resolution imaging of smaller areas.
Key Developments
Restoring an important capability: GISAT-1A will revive India’s dedicated geostationary Earth-imaging capability for frequent observation of the subcontinent.
Multiple applications: Its imagery can support agriculture, forestry, mineral exploration, ocean and atmospheric studies, snow and glacier monitoring, and disaster management.
Rapid-event monitoring: Geostationary imaging enables frequent observations of rapidly changing events such as cyclones, floods, forest fires and cloud systems, complementing conventional low-Earth-orbit remote-sensing satellites.
Key Facts for Prelims
Geostationary Orbit: Located at approximately 35,786 km altitude over the equator.
A satellite in this orbit takes about 24 hours to complete one revolution, matching Earth’s rotation.
It provides continuous viewing of a large area, making it particularly useful for weather and disaster monitoring.
GSLV Mk II: GSLV Mk II is a three-stage launch vehicle featuring an indigenous cryogenic upper stage.
It is primarily used for placing satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
Compared with LVM3, GSLV Mk II has a lower payload capacity but remains an important vehicle for India’s geostationary satellite missions.