Highlights
- ISRO launches NVS-03 navigation satellite, takes off from Sriharikota on GSLV-F18 rocket.
- Lessons learned from the technical failure of NVS-02 mission, special changes made in the launch of NVS-03.
- India’s NavIC system will be strengthened, smartphones and other electronic devices will benefit.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Friday successfully launched India’s next generation navigation satellite NVS-03. This satellite was launched from the launch site of Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota at 11.51 pm on Friday night using GSLV-F18 rocket. The total weight of this 50 meter high and 3 phase rocket at the time of launching was 420 tonnes. Its target was to install the 2,232 kg NVS-03 satellite in Geostationary Transfer Orbit, which was successfully completed.
Special technology was used for the launch of NVS-03
According to the mission handbook issued by ISRO, in the orbit in which the satellite has been installed, its nearest distance from the Earth is 170 kilometers and the maximum distance is 37,023 kilometers. The inclination of this orbit is 20.75 degrees. ISRO has launched the NVS-03 satellite under an unusual technical arrangement. In this system, the satellite’s pyro technology operated valves opened even before launch.
NVS-02 satellite could not reach the scheduled orbit
It is noteworthy that propellant supply is usually kept separate to protect the spacecraft’s fuel system from the strong vibrations that occur during launch. The purpose of this special arrangement is to prevent a repeat of the connector failure that occurred during the NVS-02 mission in January 2025. Due to that fault the satellite could not reach its scheduled orbit.
What is NVS-03 satellite?
NVS-03 is the third satellite of the Next Generation Navigation Satellite System. It has been designed to maintain continuity of navigation service for the IRNSS series. This satellite has indigenous atomic clock as well as external atomic clock. This includes L1 signals in addition to the existing L5/S signals. The coverage of this satellite extends to entire India and a radius of 1500 kilometers around India’s geographical boundaries.
What is GSLV-F18?
GSLV-F18 is the 20th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The GSLV-F18 vehicle will place the NVS-03 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. It has been launched from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR.
NVS-03 satellite is important for sailors
According to sources, to ensure the success of the mission, the corrective measures suggested by a high level committee have also been fully incorporated in this launch. NVS-03 is an important satellite for India’s Regional Satellite Navigation System navigation with Indian Constellation i.e. NAVIC. An indigenous rubidium atomic clock developed by the Space Applications Center has been installed in it. This satellite will broadcast signals on L1, L5 and S bands.
In this way the satellite will reach the final geostationary orbit.
The inclusion of the L1 band will make the system compatible with civilian chipsets in modern smartphones and wearable electronic devices. After being installed in GTO, the satellite will perform orbital activities in several phases to gradually raise its orbit. After this it will be established in its Final Geostationary Orbit at 32.5 degrees east longitude. Earlier, on September 4, ISRO successfully launched EOS-05 satellite.
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SK Sharma is a content writer who writes on news, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. She has over four years of experience and is known for conveying information in simple and clear language.
