Narendra Modi has praised Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth Observation Satellite.
Calling it an “outstanding” achievement, the prime minister described it as a proud moment for the country.
The GSLV-F17 mission took off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh in the early morning of September 4.
The launch was an important achievement for India’s space programme, with the rocket successfully carrying EOS-05 to the intended orbit.
EOS-05 is an advanced Earth observation satellite to assist India to improve its ability to capture high-quality imagery and data from space.
Agriculture, forestry, disaster management and national planning are some of the applications of such satellites.
The successful mission is also significant because it represents ISRO’s return to major launch activity after a seven-month gap.
The GSLV-F17 was tasked with carrying the advanced satellite and demonstrating the reliability of India’s heavy-lift launch capabilities.
PM Modi spoke happily to ISRO scientists, engineers and everyone involved in the mission. His message was to acknowledge the role of the organisation in India’s development in space technology and the continuing focus on innovation.
The accomplishment comes at the time when India is making great strides in the global space sector. Along with ISRO’s government-led missions, private companies are also becoming more and more involved in the country’s space ecosystem.
Indian private companies have recently launched more and more in the space sector; more and more launches have also occurred and Indian private sector players are expanding their space launch services and satellite technology in the country.
Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026
The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
The GSLV-F17 mission also underscores the importance of Earth observation technology for India. Satellite-based information can be used to monitor crops, forests, water resources and natural disasters and high-resolution imagery can help government agencies in planning and decision making.
For ISRO, the successful EOS-05 mission is another boost for the long-term space programme. ISRO is also working on ambitious projects of human spaceflight, lunar exploration, advanced satellites and commercial launch services.
India’s space program has had several great accomplishments in the past 10 years; for example, Chandrayaan-3 landing on the Moon and commercial space program’s growth.
This latest achievement of GSLV-F17 is just the latest step in that journey.
PM Modi’s response demonstrates the national significance of ISRO’s achievements. Indian scientists and engineers’ skills and capabilities on the global space economy are now on the line and the successful launch of the space technology is an important step in the country’s journey to becoming a better player, as well.
Now with EOS-05 being successfully deployed, the focus will be on the satellite’s operation and the data it can provide.
For India this is not only a successful rocket launch but another step towards building stronger and more advanced space capabilities.
