ISRO is set to launch its GSLV-F17 rocket on September 4, 2026, carrying the EOS-05 satellite into orbit. Liftoff is scheduled for 2:55 AM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
And yes,
you can actually go watch it happen.
What Is EOS-05?
EOS-05, also called GISAT-1A, is an Earth observation satellite. It weighs about 2,367 kg. Its job is to take frequent, near real-time images of large parts of India from geosynchronous orbit, meaning it stays fixed over the same region rather than circling the whole planet.
That kind of steady, repeated imaging is useful for a lot of things. Disaster monitoring, weather tracking, agriculture, and keeping an eye on changes across the country in near real time.
GSLV-F17 is ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, now on its 19th flight. It’s a three-stage rocket, built with a mix of solid, liquid, and cryogenic propulsion. The cryogenic third stage is India’s own indigenous technology, a capability ISRO has spent decades building up.
The rocket stands roughly 51.7 metres tall and weighs about 420 tonnes at liftoff. It will place EOS-05 into what’s called a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, essentially a stepping-stone orbit the satellite will use before settling into its final position.
How To Watch The Launch Live
PSLV/GSLV launch from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota- GSLV-F17 / EOS-05 Mission will happen on 4th September 2026, Friday at 02:55 AM. ISRO is livestreaming the launch, starting at 2:25 AM IST on September 4, half an hour before liftoff.
If you’re near Sriharikota, you can also watch it in person. ISRO runs a Launch View Gallery that’s open to the public, and it’s completely free. You do need to register online first at lvg.shar.gov.in.
Keep these ready when you register:
- A government ID like Aadhaar or a driving licence
- Your mobile number and email ID
- If you’re booking for a group or institution, a signed letter on the institution’s letterhead is required
Alongside the launch, ISRO shared an update on something bigger it’s building at Sriharikota: a full Space Theme Park. Right now, only the Launch View Gallery is open. The rest is still under construction.
Once complete, the park will include:
- Rocket Garden, with life-size models of ISRO’s launch vehicles, from early sounding rockets to the GSLV Mk III, along with lawns and a fountain
- Space Museum, telling the story of India’s space programme across six sections, covering history, technology, applications, and the future
For now, the Launch View Gallery remains the one part fully open to visitors, and it’s the same spot where you can watch EOS-05 lift off this Friday.
If you’re planning to watch the launch in person from the Launch View Gallery, there are a few things you need to know before you go. Visitors must carry either a vaccination certificate showing two doses, or a COVID-19 negative test certificate taken within 48 hours before the launch date. You’ll need to show this at entry.
