India is poised to significantly bolster its national security and surveillance capabilities with the scheduled launch of the EOS-09 satellite, also known as RISAT-1B, on May 18, 2025. The launch will be conducted via the PSLV-C61 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 6:59 AM IST.
EOS-09 is equipped with an advanced C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), enabling it to capture high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day. This capability is crucial for monitoring India's sensitive borders, particularly those shared with Pakistan and China, as well as for safeguarding its extensive coastlines.
The satellite features five distinct imaging modes, allowing it to switch between ultra-high-resolution imaging for detecting small objects and broader scans for large-area observation. This versatility ensures that EOS-09 can serve both military and civilian applications, including agriculture, forestry, soil moisture monitoring, geology, coastal surveillance, and flood monitoring.
In the context of recent escalations along the India-Pakistan border, the deployment of EOS-09 is timely. Its advanced imaging capabilities will enhance India's ability to track enemy movements, detect infiltrations, and support anti-terrorism operations, providing continuous and reliable intelligence.
EOS-09 is part of India's broader Earth observation satellite program and will complement data from other satellites such as Resourcesat, Cartosat, and the RISAT-2B series. This integration will contribute to a more comprehensive and robust Earth observation network, reinforcing India's strategic and defense infrastructure.
The successful launch and operation of EOS-09 will mark a significant milestone in India's pursuit of advanced surveillance and defense capabilities, reflecting the nation's commitment to leveraging space technology for national security and development.