EOS-03

EOS-03

Subject: Science and Technology

Context: Since the beginning of the outbreak in March last year, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has managed just two launches — the earth observation satellite EOS-01 last November, and the one in February this year when 18 small satellites, mainly of other countries, were sent into space.

Concept:

• An earth observation satellite will send on board a GSLV rocket is a fairly routine event.
• EOS-03 is being sent ahead of EOS-02, which has been delayed. EOS-02 is now scheduled for a launch in September-October.
• That launch will try out a new rocket — SSLV, or small satellite launch vehicle. Though India has developed four rockets till now — SLV, ASLV, and different versions of PSLV and GSLV — only two are currently operational.
• The SSLV is designed to cater to the increasing demand for launch of small satellites, mainly from businesses and universities; it costs much less and consumes less energy.  EOS-03, an earth observation satellite, into a geostationary orbit.
• The cryogenic upper stage has an indigenously developed cryogenic engine fuelled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen at very low temperatures
• EOS-03, part of the new generation of earth-observation satellites, was meant to provide almost real-time images of large parts of the country that could be used for monitoring of natural disaster like floods and cyclones, water bodies, crops, vegetation and forest cover.
• This was the 14th launch involving a GSLV rocket and fourth failure. This rocket, the Mark-II version of GSLV, was last used to successfully launch GSAT-7A, a communication satellite, in December 2018.