By The Sampadak Express
On January 29, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone in its space exploration journey by successfully completing its 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This historic achievement was marked by the launch of the GSLV-F15 rocket, which carried the NVS-02 satellite into orbit.
The launch took place at precisely 6:23 a.m. IST from the spaceport’s second launch pad. Nineteen minutes after liftoff, the GSLV-F15, equipped with an indigenous cryogenic stage, successfully placed the NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), as planned. The NVS-02 is the second satellite in ISRO’s NVS series, which is an important component of India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), a regional satellite navigation system.
A Major Milestone in ISRO’s Space Programme
Dr. V. Narayanan, the newly appointed Chairman of ISRO, expressed immense pride in the achievement, calling it “a significant milestone” for the agency. Dr. Narayanan, who assumed leadership at ISRO earlier this month, emphasized that this 100th launch from the Sriharikota spaceport is a testament to ISRO’s unwavering commitment to space exploration and technological advancement.“
I am extremely happy to announce from the spaceport of ISRO that the first launch of this year has been successfully accomplished with the GSLV-F15 precisely placing the NVS-02 satellite into the intended orbit. This mission is our 100th launch from here. This is a significant milestone for our space programme,” Dr. Narayanan stated.
Over the course of these 100 launches, ISRO has successfully deployed 548 satellites, including both domestic and foreign payloads. Dr. Narayanan noted that ISRO has launched a total of 120 tonnes of payload, with 23 tonnes dedicated to 433 foreign satellites, reflecting the agency’s growing importance in global space operations.
NavIC System and NVS-02 Satellite
The NVS-02 satellite is the second satellite in the second-generation NavIC series, which aims to augment India’s regional navigation capabilities. NavIC, or the Navigation with Indian Constellation, is an independent satellite navigation system developed by ISRO to provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services over India and its surrounding region, extending up to 1,500 km beyond the Indian landmass. NavIC is designed to offer reliable navigation services in areas where GPS may not provide consistent coverage.
The NavIC system provides two types of services: Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS). The SPS offers an impressive position accuracy of better than 20 meters and a timing accuracy of better than 40 nanoseconds over the primary service area, which covers India and its neighboring regions.
The NVS-02 satellite is equipped with advanced navigation payloads in L1, L5, and S bands, along with a ranging payload in the C-band, similar to its predecessor, NVS-01. This satellite will be positioned at a longitude of 111.75ºE, replacing the older IRNSS-1E satellite. The NVS-02 satellite features a combination of indigenous and procured atomic clocks, which ensure highly precise time estimation, a key component of the NavIC system’s performance.
The NVS series of satellites is designed to enhance the capabilities of the NavIC constellation and to ensure the continuity of service. The addition of L1 band signals in the NVS satellites is expected to expand the range of services provided by NavIC.
Strengthening India’s Satellite Navigation EcosystemI
SRO’s ongoing development of the NavIC system has established it as a critical component of India’s satellite navigation ecosystem. The first batch of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) satellites, which were launched in previous years, have already made significant strides in improving personal navigation device (PND) services across the country. With the introduction of the NVS series, ISRO is poised to further enhance the nation’s navigation capabilities, providing more accurate and reliable services to a wide range of sectors, including transportation, agriculture, defense, and telecommunications.
Dr. Narayanan also highlighted the critical role of indigenous atomic clocks in the NVS satellites, describing them as “a shining example of Make in India in critical technology development.” These atomic clocks play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy of the timing signals used for navigation, which is vital for the system’s overall reliability and performance.
Impact of NavIC on Various Applications
NavIC’s applications are diverse and cover several vital sectors. From providing strategic navigation services to aiding in the tracking of shipping vessels, time synchronization, and train safety, the system is becoming indispensable in various fields. In particular, NavIC’s role in enhancing safety through timely alerts and its contribution to the efficient management of logistics and transportation are areas of growing significance.
Dr. Narayanan emphasized the increasing importance of the NavIC system for ensuring the safety of citizens and improving the efficiency of infrastructure. He mentioned that applications such as the tracking of shipping vessels, train safety, and emergency alert systems are increasingly reliant on NavIC, showcasing the practical benefits of ISRO’s space efforts for the nation’s development.
As ISRO moves forward, the successful launch of the NVS-02 satellite and the 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre stand as powerful symbols of the country’s growing capabilities in space technology. The launch reaffirms ISRO’s position as a leader in space exploration and satellite navigation, with immense potential for further growth and technological advancements in the coming years.
