PSLV to Launch EOS-09 in 63rd Mission on May 18: ISRO Chief

By siliconindia  |  Friday, 16 May 2025, 02:47:27 PM IST

PSLV to Launch EOS-09 in 63rd Mission on May 18: ISRO Chief
  • Launch Date & Time: May 18 at 5:59 am IST.
  • Mission: 63rd launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
  • Rocket Configuration: PSLV-C61.
  • Satellite: Earth Observation Satellite-09 (EOS-09).
  • Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
  • Satellite Weight: 1,710 kg.
  • Orbit: Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO).
India is all set to mark another milestone in its space journey with the launch of the Earth Observation Satellite-09 (EOS-09) aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) on May 18. This will be the 63rd launch of the indigenous PSLV and the 101st mission to be conducted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Confirming the development, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan shared the update during his visit to the Tirumala temple on Friday, where he and his team of scientists offered prayers ahead of the mission.
"The launch is scheduled for 5:59 am on May 18. PSLV-C61 will carry the EOS-09 satellite into space", Narayanan told reporters. He also noted that this mission coincides with the near completion of 63 years of India’s space programme, which began in 1962.
The EOS-09 satellite, weighing 1,710 kg, is equipped with a cutting-edge C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), enabling it to capture high-resolution images of Earth’s surface, day or night, in all weather conditions. It will be placed into a Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO), ensuring consistent lighting conditions for Earth observation.
Designed to support a range of operational applications, EOS-09 will serve sectors such as border surveillance, national security, agriculture, forestry, flood monitoring, and disaster management.
ISRO also released a video on social media platform X, showcasing the PSLV-C61 rocket being moved to the Mobile Service Tower at the launch site for final integration and checks ahead of the scheduled liftoff.
The PSLV-C61 mission has been customized to accommodate the heavy payload, once again demonstrating the PSLV’s versatility in handling various launch configurations.
In a further step towards space sustainability, ISRO stated that after deploying EOS-09, Orbit Change Thrusters (OCT) will be activated to lower the PS4 stage's altitude, followed by passivation to reduce its orbital lifespan  aligning with global best practices for responsible space operations.

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