ISRO successfully launches NVS-02 satellite; creates history with the 100th launch from Sriharikota-OxBig News Network

Sriharikota: ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F15) carrying navigation satellite NVS-02 lifts off, in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday (January 29, 2025) morning launched its historic 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The GSLV-F15 with the NVS-02 satellite lifted off from the spaceport’s second launch pad at 6.23 a.m.

Also read: ISRO 100th mission LIVE updates

Nineteen minutes later the GSLV-F15 with indigenous cryogenic stage placed the NVS-02 satellite in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit as intended.

“The first launch of 2025 has been successfully accomplished. The satellite has been placed into the intended orbit,” said ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan who assumed charge of the space agency earlier this month.

The GSLV-F15 is the 17th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and 11th flight with Indigenous Cryo stage. It is the 8th operational flight of GSLV with an indigenous Cryogenic stage.

The NVS-02 is the second satellite in the NVS series, and part of India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC).

According to ISRO, NavIC is India’s independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) service to users in India and the region extending about 1,500 km beyond the Indian landmass, which is its primary service area.

NavIC provides two types of services: Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS). NavIC SPS provides a position accuracy of better than 20 metres (2σ) and timing accuracy of better than 40 nanoseconds (2σ) over the primary service area.

Five second-generation NavIC satellites, NVS-01/02/03/04/05, are envisaged to augment the NavIC base layer constellation with enhanced features to ensure continuity of services. The NVS series of satellites incorporate L1 band signals to widen the services.

NVS-01, the first of the second-generation satellites, was launched on board GSLV-F12 on May 29, 2023. For the first time, an indigenous atomic clock was flown in NVS-01.

NVS-02, the second satellite in the NVS series, is configured with navigation payload in L1, L5 and S bands in addition to ranging payload in C-band like its predecessor-NVS-01. It is configured on standard I-2K bus platforms with a lift-off mass of 2,250 kg and power handling capability of ~3 kW. It will be placed at 111.75ºE, replacing IRNSS-1E. NVS-02 uses a combination of indigenous and procured atomic clocks for precise time estimation.

NVS-02 satellite was designed, developed and integrated at the U. R. Satellite Centre (URSC) with the support of other satellite-based work centres.