Why ‘Naughty Boy’ satellite launch, ISRO's 1st success this year, is a giant leap for India | India News - Hindustan Times

**India’s first remote‑sensing satellite of 2024, EOS‑05 – dubbed “Naughty Boy” – lifted off successfully on a PSLV‑C56 from Sriharikota on June 30, marking ISRO’s first launch of the year.** The 620‑kilogram Earth‑observation platform entered a Sun‑synchronous orbit at an altitude of roughly 630 km, where it will deliver 12‑metre resolution panchromatic and multispectral imagery for civilian and defence applications. Engineers noted that the satellite’s performance exceeded pre‑launch expectations, with its onboard imaging payload and data‑relay systems operating nominally, a vital boost after the 2022 GISAT‑1 failure that had cast a temporary shadow over India’s remote‑sensing programme.

The launch carries strategic significance beyond its technical merits. High‑resolution imagery from EOS‑05 will augment crop‑monitoring, water‑resource management and urban‑planning initiatives, while also feeding real‑time intelligence to the armed forces for border surveillance and disaster response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present at the launch control centre, hailed the mission as “a reflection of India’s scientific excellence and a testament to the nation’s self‑reliance,” emphasizing that the satellite will help “bridge the data gap for farmers and policymakers alike.”

Political reactions have been swift. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lauded the achievement as proof of the government’s commitment to indigenous technology, whereas opposition leaders in the Congress Party praised the scientific triumph but seized the moment to criticize what they called the administration’s “unfair attacks” on ISRO’s autonomy in recent budget debates. Nonetheless, analysts agree that the successful deployment of EOS‑05 restores confidence in India’s GISAT series and underscores ISRO’s resilience in the face of prior setbacks.