Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh – In a significant milestone for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the nation’s premier space agency successfully launched the NVS-01 navigation satellite aboard the GSLV-F12 expendable rocket. The launch took place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This successful mission marks a major stride forward in India’s ambition to develop its own satellite navigation system, similar to the renowned Global Positioning System (GPS).
After a flawless lift-off, the GSLV-F12 rocket soared majestically into the sky, carrying the NVS-01 satellite onboard. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the rocket precisely deployed the satellite in a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) at an altitude of approximately 251 kilometers, as confirmed by ISRO. The GSLV-F12 rocket, known for its enhanced capacity, represents a vital asset for future space endeavors, providing India with the ability to launch larger payloads into space.
The NVS-01 satellite is the first in a new generation of communication satellites specifically designed to establish a constellation of Indian communication satellites. These satellites will serve as a homegrown alternative to the widely used GPS system, enabling users to access precise location information crucial for a multitude of applications. From map services and regional navigation to the provision of positioning data for missiles, these Indian communication satellites are set to play a pivotal role in India’s technological advancements.
One of the key objectives of this significant launch is to ensure the continuity of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) services. NavIC is an indigenous regional satellite navigation system developed by ISRO, aiming to meet India’s positioning, navigation, and timing requirements. The system provides accurate and real-time navigation within India and an extended region encompassing 1,500 kilometers around the mainland.
NavIC is engineered with a constellation of seven satellites and a robust network of ground stations that operate round the clock. With its state-of-the-art technology, NavIC delivers precise user position accuracy of better than 20 meters and timing accuracy of better than 50 nanoseconds. The system offers two services: the Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and the Restricted Service for strategic users. Notably, the NavIC SPS signals are interoperable with signals from other global navigation satellite systems, including GPS, Glonass, Galileo, and BeiDou.
In addition to establishing a satellite navigation system, ISRO has a busy schedule of upcoming missions for this year. These include crucial tests leading up to the Gaganyaan human space mission and the highly anticipated launch of Chandrayaan 3, which aims to place a lander on the moon’s surface.
The successful launch of the NVS-01 satellite aboard the GSLV-F12 rocket marks the sixth operational flight of the GSLV featuring an indigenous cryogenic stage. ISRO predicts a mission life of more than 12 years for the NVS-01 satellite, underscoring the agency’s commitment to long-lasting and reliable space missions.
The achievement of ISRO in launching the next-generation satellite is a testament to India’s growing prowess in space technology. By developing its own satnav system, India takes a significant step toward self-reliance in space-related endeavors. With the NavIC system in place, India is poised to benefit from enhanced navigation capabilities, bolstering various sectors such as civil aviation, military applications, precision agriculture, mobile device services, and marine fisheries, among numerous others.
The successful launch of the NVS-01 satellite marks yet another milestone for ISRO, showcasing India’s determination to explore the frontiers of space and technology. As the
