Bengaluru, May 17 (UNI) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch EOS-09, an advanced Earth observation satellite equipped with radar technology that can monitor the planet day and night, regardless of weather conditions, including through clouds.
This breakthrough capability will greatly enhance applications in agriculture, disaster management, urban planning, and other civilian sectors, officials said.
Dr B R Guruprasad, former ISRO scientist and current Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, told reporters that the radar sensor onboard EOS-09 enables it to function continuously, unlike traditional Earth observation satellites which rely on optical cameras and are limited by daylight and clear skies.
"This radar sends out radio waves and measures the reflected signals to build images of the Earth. Because it does not depend on sunlight, the satellite can observe the Earth both day and night, and in all weather conditions, including cloudy skies," Dr Guruprasad explained.
EOS-09, weighing approximately 1,700 kilograms, will be launched aboard the 63rd mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), specifically the PSLV-C61 variant, from the Sriharikota spaceport. The launcher used for this mission is the heaviest version of PSLV, known as the PSLV-XL.
According to Dr Guruprasad, ISRO has a history of launching radar-based Earth observation satellites, with the first such satellite launched as early as 2011. The upcoming EOS-09 mission continues this tradition and represents a significant upgrade in radar imaging technology.
"The satellite is primarily designed for civilian use, with applications including agriculture, forestry, disaster management, urban development, cartography, and weather monitoring," he said. “The radar capability makes it particularly valuable in sectors that require reliable, timely information regardless of environmental conditions.”
ISRO’s launch of EOS-09 is expected to strengthen India’s capacity for resource management, disaster response, and scientific research, contributing to sustainable development and improved quality of life.
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