The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that its latest earth observation satellite, EOS-08, will be launched onboard the third and final developmental flight of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 on August 15th, 2024. The launch, scheduled for 09:17 IST from Sriharikota, marks a significant milestone in the SSLV Development Project, enabling operational missions by Indian industry and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
EOS-08, built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, is a microsatellite carrying three payloads designed for diverse applications:
1.
Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR):
The EOIR payload is capable of capturing images in the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands, both during the day and night. This allows for applications such as satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, fire detection, volcanic activity observation, and industrial and power plant disaster monitoring.2.
Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R):
This payload demonstrates the potential of GNSS-R-based remote sensing for various applications, including ocean surface wind analysis, soil moisture assessment, cryosphere studies over the Himalayan region, flood detection, and inland waterbody detection.3.
SiC UV Dosimeter:
The SiC UV Dosimeter is designed to monitor UV irradiance at the viewport of the Crew Module in the Gaganyaan Mission. It serves as a high-dose alarm sensor for gamma radiation.EOS-08 boasts a mission life of one year, has a mass of approximately 175.5 kg, and generates power of around 420 W. The satellite interfaces with the SSLV-D3/IBL-358 launch vehicle, ISRO said.
The satellite marks a significant advancement in satellite mainframe systems, featuring an Integrated Avionics system known as the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package. This system combines multiple functions into a single, efficient unit, designed with cold redundant systems using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and evaluation boards, supporting up to 400 Gb of data storage. Additionally, the satellite includes a structural panel embedded with PCB, an embedded battery, a Micro-DGA (Dual Gimbal Antenna), an M-PAA (Phased Array Antenna), and a flexible solar panel, each serving as key components for onboard technology demonstration.
The successful launch of EOS-08 will not only enhance India’s capabilities in earth observation but also pave the way for future operational missions in space exploration.
