ISRO Reschedules EOS-08 Satellite Launch to August 16

The satellite will be launched aboard the third and final developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3. The initial launch date was set for August 15.

The reason for the delay was not specified by ISRO. The EOS-08 mission aims to advance satellite technology by designing and developing a microsatellite and incorporating new technologies for future operational satellites.

The mission objectives include creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus and testing new technologies.

The SSLV-D3/EOS-08 mission is scheduled to take place within a one-hour launch window starting at 09:17 IST on August 16 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission will mark the completion of the SSLV Development Project and pave the way for future operational missions by Indian industry and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

The EOS-08 satellite, built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, carries three key payloads:

Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR): Designed to capture images in the Mid-Wave Infrared (MIR) and Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) bands for various applications including satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, and environmental observation.

Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry Payload (GNSS-R): Demonstrates remote sensing capabilities for ocean surface wind analysis, soil moisture assessment, and flood detection.

SiC UV Dosimeter: Monitors UV irradiance and acts as a high-dose alarm sensor for gamma radiation in the Crew Module of the Gaganyaan Mission.

The EOS-08 satellite has a mass of approximately 175.5 kg, a mission life of one year, and generates around 420 watts of power. It interfaces with the SSLV-D3/IBL-358 launch vehicle.

Key technological features include an Integrated Avionics system, known as the Communication, Baseband, Storage and Positioning (CBSP) Package, which integrates multiple functions into a single unit, supporting up to 400 GB of data storage.

The satellite also includes advanced components such as a structural panel with embedded PCB, an embedded battery, a Dual Gimbal Antenna (Micro-DGA), a Phased Array Antenna (M-PAA), and a flexible solar panel.

This mission is set to demonstrate significant advancements in satellite technology and operational capabilities.