The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the launch of a navigation satellite series on board a GSLV rocket, marking a significant advancement in India’s regional satellite navigation system, NavIC. The countdown for the launch commenced at 7.12 am, with liftoff scheduled for May 29 at 10.42 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, located approximately 130 km from Chennai.
NavIC, similar to the Global Positioning System (GPS), provides accurate and real-time navigation services in India and a region extending up to 1,500 km around the mainland. The system ensures precise user positioning within 20 meters and timing accuracy of 50 nanoseconds. The upcoming launch of the navigation satellite NVS-01, weighing 2,232 kg, on the 15th flight of the 51.7-meter tall Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), will ensure the continuity of NavIC services.
Shortly after liftoff, the GSLV rocket is scheduled to deploy the satellite in a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) at an altitude of approximately 251 km. NVS-01 carries navigation payloads in L1, L5, and S bands, providing a wide range of navigation services. Notably, this second-generation satellite incorporates an indigenously developed rubidium atomic clock, a crucial technology possessed by only a handful of countries. Previously, ISRO relied on imported rubidium atomic clocks for determining date and location, making this launch the first instance of utilizing a domestically developed clock.
ISRO developed NavIC to cater to India’s positioning, navigation, and timing requirements, particularly in the fields of civil aviation and military applications. Formerly known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), NavIC offers various applications, including terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation, precision agriculture, location-based services in mobile devices, and marine fisheries. The system consists of a constellation of seven satellites and a network of ground stations that operate round the clock, providing two types of services: Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service for strategic users.
NavIC SPS signals are interoperable with signals from other global navigation satellite systems such as GPS, Glonass, Galileo, and BeiDou, ensuring compatibility and enhanced positioning capabilities. The GSLV’s sixth operational flight with an indigenous cryogenic stage adds to the significance of this launch. ISRO anticipates the mission life of NVS-01 to exceed 12 years, showcasing the agency’s commitment to long-term satellite operation and sustainability.
The successful launch of the second-generation navigation satellite series will pave the way for continued advancements in India’s satellite navigation capabilities and support various sectors, including transportation, agriculture, and telecommunications. ISRO’s efforts to develop and deploy indigenous technologies further strengthen India’s position in the global space sector and contribute to the nation’s self-reliance in space technology.
