ISRO to Launch EOS-09 Satellite on May 18 for Border Surveillance
India is set to significantly enhance its border monitoring and national security capabilities with the scheduled launch of the EOS-09 radar imaging satellite on May 18. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will carry out the launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota using the PSLV-C61 rocket at 6:59 am IST.
The EOS-09, also known as RISAT-1B, is equipped with an advanced C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system. This radar allows the satellite to capture high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface in all weather conditions, during both day and night. Such capability is crucial for India’s surveillance of sensitive border regions along Pakistan and China, as well as for monitoring the country’s extensive coastline.
EOS-09 Satellite to Strengthen Surveillance
The satellite is designed to detect hostile movements, support counter-infiltration operations, and provide critical intelligence for anti-terror and defence activities. Unlike optical satellites, which depend on clear skies and daylight, EOS-09’s radar system ensures uninterrupted coverage regardless of weather or lighting conditions.
EOS-09 features five imaging modes, enabling flexibility in usage. These include ultra-high-resolution settings for detecting small-scale objects and wide-area scanning for broader situational awareness. This versatility makes it useful not only for military surveillance but also for civilian applications such as disaster management, agricultural assessment, and environmental monitoring.
Part of ISRO’s Earth Observation Fleet
The satellite is a successor to the earlier RISAT-1 and is expected to complement data from India’s existing Earth observation fleet, which includes Resourcesat, Cartosat, and the RISAT-2B series. By integrating its data with these platforms, EOS-09 will help form a comprehensive surveillance network.
The timing of the launch comes amid heightened tensions along India’s borders, with increasing aerial threats and infiltration attempts being reported. Defence analysts believe EOS-09 will play a pivotal role in enabling round-the-clock, real-time surveillance critical to India’s strategic deterrence and tactical readiness.
The upcoming launch reaffirms ISRO’s expanding role in national security, and its growing ability to deliver high-impact space technology in service of India’s defence and sovereignty.
