New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch the Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-08) aboard the third and final developmental flight of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Friday at approximately 9:17 a.m.
The mission, designated SSLV-D3/EOS-08, marks the culmination of the SSLV’s developmental phase, after which the rocket will enter full operational service.
The launch, initially scheduled for August 15, 2024, has been rescheduled, though ISRO has not disclosed the reasons for the delay.
The mission aims to complete the SSLV’s development, paving the way for its future operational use in collaboration with Indian industry and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
According to the reports, EOS-08, built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, has a mission life of one year. Weighing approximately 175.5 kilograms and generating around 420 watts of power, the satellite will be deployed using the SSLV-D3/IBL-358 launch vehicle. It carries three primary payloads: an Electro-Optical Infrared (EOIR) sensor, a Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) sensor, and a Silicon Carbide (SiC) UV Dosimeter.
The EOIR payload is designed to capture images in both the Mid-Wave Infrared (MIR) and Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) spectrums, effective during day and night. This capability will enhance applications such as satellite-based surveillance, environmental and disaster monitoring, fire detection, and industrial disaster assessment.
According to ISRO, EOS-08 also features significant advancements in satellite technology, including the Integrated Avionics system, known as the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package. This system consolidates multiple functions into a single unit with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, offering up to 400 GB of data storage. It includes advanced technologies such as a structural panel with integrated PCB, a Micro-Dual Gimbal Antenna (Micro-DGA), a Phased Array Antenna (M-PAA), and a flexible solar panel—key for onboard technology demonstration and operational efficacy.
