Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated scientists and engineers of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) following the successful launch of the GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the 2,232-kg next-generation navigation satellite NVS-03. ISRO launched the satellite at 11.51 pm on Friday, October 30, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The satellite was successfully separated from the launch vehicle and placed in its intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The mission marked the 20th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The mission is expected to strengthen India’s indigenous satellite navigation system, NavIC, and enhance the country’s self-reliance in critical space technologies.
NVS-03 is the third satellite in ISRO’s next-generation navigation series. It carries an indigenous atomic clock alongside procured atomic clocks and introduces the L1 navigation signal in addition to the existing L5 and S-band signals. These features are expected to enhance NavIC’s capabilities and expand its potential applications.
In a post on X, Modi said the mission would strengthen NavIC and improve navigation services for public benefit. He also praised the contribution of India’s space scientists and engineers.
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan said the successful launch restored the NavIC constellation to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites. He also highlighted the 56-day interval between successive GSLV missions, the shortest turnaround time achieved by the launch vehicle programme.
According to Narayanan, two indigenous atomic clocks are already functioning in orbit, while a third has been deployed aboard NVS-03. India’s regional navigation programme envisages a seven-satellite constellation providing positioning, navigation and timing services across the country and up to 1,500 kilometres beyond its borders.
Narayanan added that completing the constellation would be necessary before NavIC services could be integrated with mobile systems for wider public use. The successful deployment of NVS-03 marks another step in strengthening India’s independent satellite navigation infrastructure for civilian and strategic applications.
(DD News)
