The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its latest Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-08 on August 16, 2024 at 9:17 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Shriharikota. The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 carried the satellite into space, marking another significant milestone for India’s space program.
The EOS-08 mission is focused on designing and developing a microsatellite equipped with advanced payload instruments and incorporating new technologies essential for future operational satellites. Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, EOS-08 carries three sophisticated payloads: the Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), and a SiC UV Dosimeter.
The EOIR Payload is designed to capture images in the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands during both day and night. This payload supports a variety of applications including satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental assessment, fire and volcanic activity detection, and monitoring of industrial and power plant disasters.
The GNSS-R payload demonstrates GNSS-R-based remote sensing for applications such as ocean surface wind analysis, soil moisture assessment, cryosphere studies in the Himalayan region, flood detection, and monitoring of inland water bodies.
The SiC UV Dosimeter monitors UV irradiance at the Crew Module viewport for the Gaganyaan Mission and serves as a high-dose alarm sensor for gamma radiation.
The EOS-08 satellite is configured to operate in a Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 475 km with an inclination of 37.4°, and has a mission life of one year. Weighing approximately 175.5 kg, the satellite generates around 420 W of power and interfaces seamlessly with the SSLV-D3 launch vehicle.
The EOS-08 mission showcases significant advancements in satellite mainframe systems, including the Integrated Avionics System, the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package. This system consolidates multiple functions into a single unit, utilizing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and evaluation boards, and supports up to 400 GB of data storage. The satellite also features a structural panel embedded with PCB, an embedded battery, a Micro-DGA (Dual Gimbal Antenna), an M-PAA (Phased Array Antenna), and a flexible solar panel, all of which contribute to onboard technology demonstration.
The EOS-08 employs miniaturized Antenna Pointing Mechanisms capable of achieving a rotational speed of 6 degrees per second with a pointing accuracy of ±1 degree. The mission also incorporates a miniaturized phased array antenna for enhanced communication capabilities and a flexible solar panel designed with a foldable substrate for improved power generation and structural integrity.
The satellite introduces several innovative schemes, including X-band data transmission using pulse shaping and Frequency Compensated Modulation (FCM). The battery management system employs SSTCR-based charging and bus regulation at a frequency of 6 Hz. Indigenization efforts are evident in the solar cell fabrication processes, and the mission’s thermal management system utilizes advanced materials like AFE BGA, Kintex FPGA, Germanium Black Kapton, and STAMET (Si-Al Alloy) Black Kapton to optimize the thermal properties of COTS components.
Additionally, the EOS-08 mission incorporates an auto-launch pad initialization feature, further demonstrating ISRO’s commitment to advancing satellite technology and mission management.
The successful launch of EOS-08 represents a major leap forward in India’s space capabilities, with its advanced technologies and innovative designs setting new benchmarks for future satellite missions. This mission not only strengthens ISRO’s portfolio of Earth observation satellites but also highlights India’s growing expertise in space exploration and technology development.
