Remote Sensing / Earth Observation Satellites
Starting with IRS-1A in 1988, ISRO has launched many operational remote sensing satellites. Today, India has one of the largest constellations of remote sensing satellites in operation. Varieties of instruments have been flown onboard these satellites to provide necessary data in a diversified spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions to cater to different user requirements in the country and for global usage. The data from these satellites are used for several applications covering agriculture, water resources, urban planning, rural development, mineral prospecting, environment, forestry, ocean resources and disaster management.
Name | Launch Date | Launch Vehicle | Orbit Type | Application | Remarks |
EOS-07 | Feb 10, 2023 | SSLV-D2/EOS-07 Mission |
| Earth Observation |
|
EOS-06 | Nov 26, 2022 | PSLV-C54/EOS-06 Mission |
| Earth Observation |
|
INDIA-BHUTAN SAT | Nov 26, 2022 |
|
| Earth Observation |
|
EOS-04 | Feb 14, 2022 | PSLV-C52/EOS-04 Mission |
| Earth Observation |
|
EOS-03 | Aug 12, 2021 | GSLV-F10/EOS-03 | GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) | Earth Observation | Launch unsuccessful |
EOS-01 | Nov 07, 2020 | PSLV-C49/EOS-01 | LEO (Low Earth Orbit) | Disaster Management System, Earth Observation |
|
RISAT-2BR1 | Dec 11, 2019 | PSLV-C48/RISAT-2BR1 | LEO (Low Earth Orbit) | Disaster Management System, Earth Observation |
|
Cartosat-3 | Nov 27, 2019 | PSLV-C47/Cartosat-3 Mission | SSPO (Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit) | Earth Observation |
|
RISAT-2B | May 22, 2019 | PSLV-C46 Mission | LEO (Low Earth Orbit) | Disaster Management System, Earth Observation |
|
HySIS | Nov 29, 2018 | PSLV-C43/HySIS Mission | SSPO (Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit) | Earth Observation |
|
- India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was indigenously built and launched on April 19, 1975 by the Soviet Union. It was a scientific satellite used for experiments in aeronomy, solar physics, and X-ray astronomy, and marked India’s entry into space technology. In 1979, ISRO launched Bhaskara I, the first remote sensing satellite, equipped with cameras and SAMIR to observe Earth. Bhaskara II followed in 1981, collecting data on hydrology, oceanography, and forestry.
- The Rohini series was India’s first satellite launch using the indigenous SLV-3 rocket. After an initial failure, Rohini Satellite 1 successfully reached orbit, making India the 7th nation capable of building and launching satellites. Later, RS-D1 and RS-D2 tested remote sensing technologies.
- ISRO gained global acclaim with missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and setting a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission. Ongoing missions include Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-3, NISAR, and Aditya L1.
