On May 18, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the EOS-09 radar imaging satellite from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 5:59 AM IST, enhancing India’s all-weather, night-time surveillance capabilities. Carried by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in ISRO’s 101st major rocket launch, the 1,696-kg satellite, designed by the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, features a C-band synthetic aperture radar. This enables high-resolution imaging through clouds and in low light, surpassing the Cartosat-3’s sub-half-meter resolution, which is limited at night.

Orbiting 500 km above Earth, EOS-09 joins India’s constellation of over 57 satellites, including four radar satellites that monitored borders during heightened India-Pakistan tensions post the April 22 Pahalgam attack. “Ten satellites work round-the-clock to ensure national security, monitoring our 7,000-km coastline and northern borders,” said ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan. The satellite strengthens India’s digital-first defense strategy, as seen in Operation Sindoor, where assets like Cartosat, Risat, and NavIC supported precise military operations.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh praised the mission, stating, “Precision, teamwork, and engineering drive India’s space ambitions.” The launch, attended by MPs and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science, led by Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita, underscores national support for ISRO’s efforts. EOS-09’s advanced capabilities align with digital-first principles, reimagining surveillance with technology that ensures resilience and precision, reinforcing India’s strategic edge in a dynamic geopolitical landscape.