ISRO’s push to enhance surveillance comes as part of a broader initiative to bolster security.
As tensions with Pakistan continue, India is significantly boosting its space-based surveillance capabilities. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is reportedly preparing to launch its 101st mission on 18 May with the deployment of the PSLV-C61/EOS-09 satellite. This mission marks a critical step in strengthening India’s ability to monitor its vast borders, particularly through advanced satellite technology capable of seeing through clouds and at night.
The EOS-09 satellite, designed and built by ISRO's UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, is equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that will provide high-resolution imaging of the Earth's surface. This makes it far superior to the Cartosat-3 satellite, which cannot operate effectively during the night or in cloudy conditions. EOS-09 will therefore enhance India’s surveillance capabilities, offering continuous and reliable remote sensing data. Positioned 500 km above Earth’s surface in a sun-synchronous polar orbit, it will be capable of monitoring all weather conditions, a crucial advantage given the challenges posed by geographical and atmospheric obstacles.
This launch comes at a time when the country is working to maintain heightened military readiness despite a relatively calm ceasefire between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. The satellite will join a growing fleet of 57 Indian satellites, including four radar satellites that have been instrumental in monitoring the border areas since the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack.
ISRO’s push to enhance surveillance comes as part of a broader initiative to bolster national security. The government’s strategic focus on space-based surveillance has been emphasised by ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan, who noted that around 10 satellites are operational 24/7 to safeguard India's borders, coastline, and critical infrastructure. India’s 7,000 km coastline and northern borders require constant monitoring, and without advanced satellite and drone technology, such extensive surveillance would not be possible.
To further strengthen these capabilities, the Indian government in 2024 approved the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS-3) programme, which will see the deployment of a constellation of 52 satellites. The government has reportedly accelerated this ambitious project, and it is now likely to be completed within 12-18 months. It is designed to provide better land and maritime domain awareness for both civilian and military applications.
The development of these satellites will be carried out by ISRO in collaboration with private firms and supported by SpaceX, which will assist in satellite launches, and France, which will aid in the construction of military satellites. According to some media reports, the government is collaborating with three private companies — Anant Technologies, Centum Electronics, and Alpha Design Technologies — to expedite the construction of these satellites. These satellites will not only assist in border surveillance but also play a crucial role in disaster management, such as monitoring floods or earthquakes.
The strategic importance of this mission is further underlined by India’s focus on improving its military space capabilities. With the acquisition of advanced Predator drones from the United States and the development of anti-satellite missile technologies, India is preparing to enhance its ability to monitor adversaries across its land and sea borders, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
