EOS-05 satellite: Why Isro chose geosynchronous orbit over circular geostationary orbit

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has chosen to launch the EOS-05 satellite into a geosynchronous orbit rather than a circular geostationary orbit, as indicated by Isro scientists. The satellite was launched successfully by the GSLV F17 rocket on Friday and placed in a sub-geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) with a perigee of 171 km and an apogee of 31,000 km.

Over the next few days, Isro plans to carry out orbit-raising maneuvers to place the EOS-05 in a more circular orbit with a perigee of 20,000 km and an apogee of 35,786 km, which falls within the broader geosynchronous orbit. While a circular geostationary orbit is considered optimal for Earth observation, Isro has selected the geosynchronous orbit for the EOS-05 satellite to provide strategic data, particularly to the Indian Navy.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Indian Express - India's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.