ISRO set to return to launch pad with strategic Earth observation satellite GISAT-1A
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New Delhi, August 29: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to resume its launch campaign after a gap following the PSLV-C62 mission failure on January 12, with the government granting clearance for the launch of strategically important satellites.
According to reports, ISRO is gearing up to launch GISAT-1A, also designated EOS-05, in the early hours of September 4 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The satellite had been ready for launch for several weeks while awaiting government approval.
GISAT-1A is designed to provide near-real-time imagery of large areas of interest at frequent intervals, strengthening India's Earth observation capabilities. Although primarily a civilian satellite, its frequent imaging capability could also support national security agencies and assist the armed forces in planning and monitoring operations.
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The 2.2-tonne-class satellite is expected to provide detailed observation of the Indian subcontinent under cloud-free conditions. Its data will have applications across several sectors, including agriculture, forestry, mineral exploration, disaster management, meteorology, snow and glacier monitoring, and oceanography.
🚨 𝗚𝗦𝗟𝗩-𝗙𝟭𝟳 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗱, 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁-𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝟰!
— ISRO Spaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) August 28, 2026
The GSLV-F17 vehicle carrying GISAT-1A has been moved to the Second Launch Pad at SHAR today at around 8 am, prior to its launch in the early hours of Sept 4th! 🚀
GISAT-1A, weighing in at… pic.twitter.com/xJKeQKyd00
The mission is also significant as it seeks to revive India's GISAT programme, which faced setbacks in its earlier attempt. The original GISAT-1 was launched aboard GSLV-F10 on August 12, 2021, but the mission failed after the cryogenic upper stage did not ignite due to a technical anomaly, resulting in the loss of the satellite.
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Since then, GSLV Mk II missions have recorded four consecutive successes, including the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite in July 2025.
The NVS-03 navigation satellite, which was also awaiting government clearance, is expected to be launched subsequently. ISRO is additionally preparing for several major missions in the coming months, including the first uncrewed mission under the Gaganyaan programme, marking an important phase in India's space ambitions.