TFP Bureau, New Delhi, August 16, 2024: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its latest Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-08, today at 9:17 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Shriharikota. The satellite was carried into space by the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3, marking a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts.
The EOS-08 mission focuses on several key objectives, including the design and development of a microsatellite, the creation of payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus, and the incorporation of new technologies to support future operational satellites.
Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, EOS-08 is equipped with three advanced payloads: the Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), and a SiC UV Dosimeter. The EOIR payload is designed to capture images in both the Mid-Wave and Long-Wave Infrared bands, providing capabilities for satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental observation, and industrial disaster management.
The GNSS-R payload is intended to demonstrate the use of GNSS-R-based remote sensing for various applications, such as analyzing ocean surface winds, assessing soil moisture, studying the cryosphere in the Himalayan region, and detecting floods and inland water bodies. The SiC UV Dosimeter will monitor UV radiation levels at the viewport of the Crew Module in the Gaganyaan Mission and will serve as a high-dose alarm sensor for gamma radiation.
Operating in a Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 475 km and an inclination of 37.4°, EOS-08 has a mission life of one year. The satellite, weighing approximately 175.5 kg, is powered by 420 watts and interfaces with the SSLV-D3 launch vehicle.
EOS-08 represents a leap forward in satellite technology, featuring an Integrated Avionics system known as the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package, which consolidates multiple functions into a single, efficient unit. The satellite also incorporates a variety of advanced components, including a miniaturized phased array antenna, flexible solar panels, and a highly efficient thermal management system.
ISRO’s commitment to innovation is evident in the satellite’s design, which includes miniaturized antenna pointing mechanisms, advanced data transmission technologies, and a sophisticated battery management system. The mission also showcases significant indigenization efforts, with advances in solar cell fabrication, vibration isolation, and thermal management materials.
The EOS-08 mission highlights ISRO’s ongoing dedication to enhancing India’s space capabilities, with applications ranging from environmental monitoring to disaster management and beyond.
