Produced by: Tarun Mishra
On August 16, 2024, ISRO successfully launched the Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-08) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The satellite was launched using the newly developed Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3) at 9:17 AM IST.
This launch marked the third and final developmental flight of the SSLV-D3/EOS-08 mission, showcasing ISRO's efforts in creating an operational small satellite launch vehicle capable of carrying payloads up to 500 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Initially scheduled for August 15, India's Independence Day, the launch was postponed by a day. The SSLV-D3 rocket, measuring 34 meters in height, lifted off from the first launch pad at the space center.
ISRO outlined key objectives for this mission, which included the design and development of a microsatellite, testing payload instruments compatible with microsatellite technology, and incorporating advanced technologies for future satellite missions.
The successful deployment of the SSLV-D3 rocket opens commercial opportunities for NewSpace India Ltd., ISRO’s commercial arm. The small satellite launch vehicle is expected to attract global clients for satellite launches in LEO.
The Earth Observation Satellite-08 was built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, carrying three key payloads: the Electro-Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R), and a SiC UV Dosimeter payload. The satellite has a mission life of one year.
EOIR is designed to capture images in the mid-wave and long-wave infrared bands during both day and night, making it ideal for surveillance, environmental and disaster monitoring, fire detection, and industrial disaster observation.
The GNSS-R payload enables remote sensing applications such as ocean wind analysis, soil moisture assessment, and cryosphere studies. Meanwhile, the SiC UV Dosimeter monitors UV irradiance, serving a vital role in ISRO's Gaganyaan Mission, particularly as a high-dose gamma radiation alarm sensor.