ISRO Successfully Launches EOS-05 Satellite, Staff Seek Private Sector Clarity

Nine employee bodies at ISRO centers formally raised concerns over the direction and basis of the government's opening of India's space sector to private industry.

These bodies, representing thousands of staff under the Department of Space (DoS), sought written clarification from the chairman, space commission, who also serves as secretary, DoS and chairman, ISRO. Their representation, dated September 4, states that private participation in defined commercial activities can coexist with a strong, publicly owned ISRO. They argue that a policy reducing ISRO to a residual R&D boutique while launch vehicle realization and infrastructure operation pass out of public hands cannot be accepted without debate.

The employee bodies pointed to a recent public statement reportedly made by IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka on ISRO eventually not manufacturing any launch vehicles. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched its Earth Observation Satellite-05 (EOS-05) aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2:55 am on Friday, September 4.

The satellite was placed in a transfer orbit approximately 18 minutes later. EOS-05 is India's first imaging satellite to operate from geosynchronous orbit. This capability provides India with the ability to obtain frequent, near-real-time images of large areas for disaster monitoring, agricultural, and military purposes. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan stated that EOS-05 is intended for persistent monitoring of the Indian region and can continuously monitor and take spot photographs.

Retired Indian Army Lieutenant General Arun Sahni said the satellite could strengthen observation along India's borders with Pakistan and China. Lower-orbit satellites can require around a day to return to the same area, but EOS-05 reduces that gap by operating from a geosynchronous orbit. The joint representation was signed by the ISRO Staff Association, SHAR Employees Association, Isac Employees Association, Isro Staff Association-LPSC, Isro Staff Association-BBU, NRSA Employees Union, Space Employees Association-BBU, Isro Staff Association-IPRC and SAC Employees Welfare Association.