ISRO’s 100th Launch: GSLV-F15 Successfully Deploys NVS-02 NavIC Satellite

ISRO’s 100th Launch: GSLV-F15 Successfully Deploys NVS-02 NavIC Satellite

With the successful launch of the NVS-02 navigation satellite on board the GSLV-F15 rocket on Wednesday, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) accomplished an important milestone. Launched at 6:23 a.m. from Sriharikota, the mission was the Indian space agency’s 100th. The satellite strengthened India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system by entering the planned Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). This was the first launch under ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, who assumed office on January 16, 2025.

NavIC Expansion and Mission Details

The launch was confirmed by ISRO. The 50.9-meter GSLV-F15 rocket, which included a domestic cryogenic upper stage, took off after a countdown of 27.30 hours. The NVS-02 payload is the second satellite of the second-generation NavIC series, which aims to improve timing, navigation, and location services throughout India and up to 1,500 kilometers outside of its boundaries. NVS-01, the first satellite in this series, went into orbit in May 2023.

NVS-02, created at the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, weighs about 2,250 kg, according to ISRO. It has a tri-band antenna, navigation payloads that operate in the L1, L5, and S bands, and an in-house Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard, which is essential for high-precision navigation.

Effects on Navigation and Upcoming Missions

According to the research, the NavIC system is expected to facilitate applications in emergency services, fleet management, satellite orbit determination, precision agriculture, IoT applications, and terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation. The five satellites that will make up the entire second-generation NavIC constellation are NVS-01 through NVS-05.

Future ISRO Missions in 2025

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is moving closer to launch in accordance with ISRO’s future objectives. Gaganyaan’s uncrewed G1 mission was also updated, and preparations are now under progress.

Sanchita Patil

error: Content is protected !!