The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the Earth Observation Satellite RISAT-1B, also known as EOS-09, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) on May 18, 2025. The launch is scheduled for 6:59 am IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The mission underscores the enduring significance of the PSLV, widely recognized as ISRO’s most reliable and versatile launch vehicle. Since its first flight in 1993, the PSLV has successfully completed more than 60 missions, placing satellites into a wide range of orbits, including sun-synchronous, geostationary transfer, and sub-geosynchronous transfer orbits.
PSLV’s success lies in its innovative four-stage design, which alternates between solid and liquid propulsion stages. This unique configuration allows for precision payload deployment and has made the rocket ISRO’s workhorse over the decades.
The upcoming PSLV-C61 mission will carry the 1,710 kg EOS-09 satellite into a sun-synchronous orbit. Designed for all-weather, round-the-clock surveillance, the satellite is equipped with a C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), enabling it to capture high-resolution images regardless of time or weather conditions.
EOS-09 will serve a broad range of applications including national security, border and coastal monitoring, disaster response, flood mapping, agriculture assessment, and forest management. Its advanced radar system offers five distinct imaging modes, capable of switching between ultra-high-resolution imaging for detailed observation and wide-area coverage for broader surveillance.
The PSLV-C61 configuration has been specifically tailored for this heavy payload, showcasing the vehicle’s adaptability to evolving mission requirements. With a proven track record of reliability and cost-effectiveness, the PSLV continues to play a vital role in advancing India’s space capabilities.
As India enhances its space-based infrastructure to address strategic and civilian needs, the EOS-09 mission marks another milestone in ISRO’s efforts to strengthen national security and disaster preparedness through cutting-edge satellite technology.
