ISRO's 100th Mission: GSLV-F15 Lifts Off with NVS-02 Navigation Satellite

ISRO successfully launched GSLV-F15 carrying NVS-02 navigation satellite, marking its 100th mission. The rocket is the 17th flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle and the 11th with an indigenous cryogenic stage. GSLV-F15 will place NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit and provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing service to users in India and a region extending 1500 km beyond Indian landmass. The satellite will offer two types of services: Standard Positioning Service and Restricted Service.

ISRO, India's premier space research organization, is set to launch its 100th mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on January 29, 2025 [1]. The mission, named GSLV-F15, will carry the NVS-02 navigation satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) [1]. This launch marks the 17th flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the 11th with an indigenous cryogenic stage [1].

The NVS-02 satellite is a crucial addition to India's Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services to users in India and a region extending approximately 1,500 km beyond the Indian landmass [1]. The satellite is configured with navigation payload in L1, L5, and S bands, as well as ranging payload in C-band [1].

ISRO's successful integration of the GSLV-F15 rocket with the NVS-02 satellite was completed on January 26, 2025 [1]. The rocket will place the NVS-02 satellite into a GTO, ensuring its accurate positioning for optimal service delivery [1].

The NVS-02 satellite uses a combination of indigenous and procured atomic clocks for precise time estimation [1]. It was designed, developed, and integrated at the U R Satellite Centre (URSC) with support from other satellite-based work centres [1].

GSLV-F15's successful launch will significantly enhance India's regional navigation capabilities, providing precise and reliable PVT services to users in the region [1]. The launch marks a significant milestone for ISRO as it continues its mission to unlock new frontiers in space exploration and technology.

References:
[1] The Hindu. (2025, January 26). ISRO says GSLV-F15 integration complete, ready for launch. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-says-gslv-f15-integration-complete-ready-for-launch/article69143281.ece