ISRO’s SSLV-D3 to Launch EOS-8 Satellite from Sriharikota
Nellore (Andhra Pradesh) [India], August 16, 2024: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) using the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3. The launch is scheduled for August 16, 2024, from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, with a one-hour launch window starting at 9.17 am.
Excitement is building as students and other individuals arrive at the space center to witness the event. Greeva Agarwal, a student, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “I have come to ISRO to see the satellite launch. It is a unique experience. I wish the scientists good luck for their hard work.”
Pranav, a research engineer from Chennai, shared his excitement, stating, “This is the first time I am witnessing a launch through the launch gallery, but I have been to ISRO before. Being here and witnessing the launch is exciting for me. I wish all the very best to all the scientists of ISRO who have been working here. This is the first time I heard about SSLV and it is great to be here.”
The EOS-8 satellite is designed for a mission duration of one year. Its primary objectives include designing and developing a microsatellite, creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus, and incorporating new technologies for future operational satellites.
Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, EOS-8 carries three payloads: the Electro-Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry Payload (GNSS-R), and the SiC UV Dosimeter. The EOIR payload captures images in the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands for applications such as satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, fire detection, volcanic activity observation, and industrial and power plant disaster monitoring.
The GNSS-R payload demonstrates the capability of using GNSS-R-based remote sensing for applications such as ocean surface wind analysis, soil moisture assessment, cryosphere studies over the Himalayan region, flood detection, and inland waterbody detection.
Doubts Revealed
ISRO -: ISRO stands for Indian Space Research Organisation. It is India’s space agency that works on space missions and satellite launches.
SSLV-D3 -: SSLV-D3 is a type of rocket called Small Satellite Launch Vehicle. It is used to send small satellites into space.
EOS-8 -: EOS-8 stands for Earth Observation Satellite-8. It is a satellite that takes pictures and collects data about Earth from space.
Sriharikota -: Sriharikota is an island in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is where ISRO has its spaceport to launch rockets.
microsatellite -: A microsatellite is a very small satellite, usually weighing less than 100 kilograms. It is used for specific tasks like taking pictures or collecting data.
payloads -: Payloads are the parts of the satellite that do the main work, like cameras or sensors. In EOS-8, there are three payloads for different tasks.
disaster monitoring -: Disaster monitoring means keeping an eye on natural disasters like floods or earthquakes. Satellites help by providing images and data to understand and respond to these events.
environmental observation -: Environmental observation means watching and studying the environment, like forests, oceans, and weather. Satellites help by taking pictures and collecting data from space.
