The third generation Indian satellite for monitoring the oceans, formally named as Earth Observation Satellite-6(EOS-6) was launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in partnership with Ministry of Earth Sciences

Source: The post is based on the article “The third generation Indian satellite for monitoring the oceans, formally named as Earth Observation Satellite-6(EOS-6) was launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in partnership with Ministry of Earth Sciences” published in PIB on 27th November 2022.

What is the News?

Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) has successfully launched the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle(PSLV-C54) carrying the Earth Observation Satellite-6(EOS-6).

What is EOS-06? 

EOS-6 is the third-generation satellite in the Oceansat series. 

It is a follow-up to OceanSat-1 or IRS-P4 and OceanSat-2 launched in 1999 and 2009, respectively. 

Objectives: To ensure the data continuity of Ocean colour and wind vector data to sustain the operational applications.

– To improve the applications, some additional datasets such as Sea Surface Temperature and more bands in Optical region for florescence and in Infrared region for atmospheric corrections are accommodated.

– To develop / improve related algorithms and data products to serve in well- established application areas and to enhance the mission utility.

Payloads: The satellite onboard carries four important payloads:

– Ocean Color Monitor(OCM-3): It will observe the day side of the earth every day and will provide crucial data on the distribution of ocean algae which is the base of the food chain within the marine ecosystem.

– Sea Surface Temperature Monitor(SSTM): It will provide ocean surface temperature which is a critical ocean parameter to provide various forecasts ranging from fish aggregation to cyclone genesis and movement.

– Ku-Band Pencil beam scatterometer: will provide a high-resolution wind vector (speed and direction) at the ocean surface, something which any seafarer would like to know of, whether it’s fishermen or a shipping company.

– ARGOS: It is a communication payload jointly developed with France, and it is used for low-power (energy-efficient) communications including marine robotic floats (Argo floats), fish tags, drifters, and distress alert devices useful for conducting effective search and rescue operations.

Significance of the launch: Oceansat-3 launch is significant since this is the first major ocean satellite launch coming from India since the initiation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (UNDOSSD, 2021-2030).