Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted its 100th rocket launch on January 29, 2025, with the launch of the GSLV-F15 carrying the NVS-02 navigation satellite. This mission is a crucial step in enhancing India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, which is India’s alternative to GPS.
The GSLV-F15 rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and successfully placed the NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) after approximately 19 minutes. The NVS-02 is the second in the new generation of NavIC satellites and is equipped with a Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS), an atomic clock that helps improve positioning accuracy. This system has applications in terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation, fleet management, and even IoT-based applications.
However, there has been some debate about whether this was truly ISRO’s 100th launch, as different counting methods lead to varying numbers. Some experts argue that if sub-orbital launches and test demonstrations were included, the count would be different. ISRO clarified that it was counting only orbital launches from Sriharikota.
This milestone highlights India’s growing expertise in cryogenic engine technology and strengthens its independent satellite navigation system, ensuring better accuracy and strategic autonomy.
Key Details of the GSLV-F15 / NVS-02 Mission
- Launch Vehicle: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F15)
- Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
- Payload: NVS-02 (Next-Generation Navigation Satellite)
- Orbit: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)
- Launch Time: Approximately 19 minutes after liftoff, the satellite was injected into orbit.
- Primary Objective: Strengthening India’s NavIC system, which provides positioning, navigation, and timing services similar to GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou.
About the NVS-02 Satellite and NavIC System
The NVS-02 satellite is the second next-generation navigation satellite in the NavIC system. NavIC is India’s regional satellite-based navigation system, developed after India was denied access to GPS data during the 1999 Kargil War. NavIC is crucial for various applications, including:
- Terrestrial and aerial navigation
- Marine and fishing industry navigation
- Disaster management
- Military and strategic operations
- Precision agriculture
- Internet of Things (IoT) applications
One of the standout features of NVS-02 is the Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS), an advanced atomic clock that enhances positioning accuracy. This is a major technological leap for ISRO, as previous Indian satellites relied on atomic clocks supplied by foreign agencies.
Significance of the Mission
- Strengthening India’s NavIC System: With the addition of NVS-02, India moves closer to a more independent and accurate satellite navigation system.
- Advancing Cryogenic Engine Technology: The GSLV-F15 features an indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage, a technology India has mastered despite initial geopolitical restrictions on accessing cryogenic engine technology.
- Global Recognition of India’s Space Capabilities: With 100 launches, ISRO continues to prove itself as a leading space agency in the world.
- Enhancing Strategic and Civilian Applications: NavIC is now mandatory in Indian smartphones and is expected to be integrated into global navigation systems
