EOS-08 SATELLITE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The smallest launch vehicle of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) in its third and final developmental flight placed the EOS-08 and SR-0 satellites into a precise 475-km circular orbit.

EOS-08

• About: A pioneering satellite mission using ISRO’s Microsat/IMS-1 bus, featuring advanced IR observation payloads, a GNSS-R Payload, and a SiC UV dosimeter.
• Advanced Systems: Equipped with a suite of technologies including an Integrated Avionics system (CBSP Package), Structural panel with PCB, embedded battery, Micro-DGA, M-PAA, Flexible solar panel, and Nano star sensor for technology demonstration.
• Payloads:

o EOIR Payload: Images in Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands for surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, fire detection, volcanic activity, and industrial disaster assessment.

o GNSS-R Payload: Demonstrates GNSS-R-based remote sensing for applications like ocean surface winds, soil moisture, cryosphere studies, flood detection, and inland water body detection.

o SiC UV Dosimeter: Monitors UV irradiance at the Gaganyaan Mission’s Crew Module view port and serves as a high-dose UV radiation alarm sensor.

• Orbit and Life: Operates in Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 475 km altitude with a 37.4° inclination, and has a mission life of 1 year.
• Additional Payload: Includes SR-0 DEMOSAT developed by Space Kidz India, also placed in the intended orbit.

SSLV

• About: It is a three-stage launch vehicle composed of three solid propulsion stages and a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as its terminal stage.
• Capabilities: It is designed to launch mini, micro, or nanosatellites weighing between 10 to 500 kg into a 500 km planar orbit.
• Solid and Liquid Propulsion: The vehicle uses solid propulsion for the initial stages and a liquid propulsion system for the final Velocity Trimming Module.
• Target Orbits: SSLV effectively places satellites into low Earth orbit, specifically targeting a 500 km planar orbit.