The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has marked a historic milestone with the successful launch of its 100th mission. On January 29, 2025, at precisely 6:23 AM, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F15) lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, carrying the NVS-02 navigation satellite into orbit. This mission is a significant step in strengthening India’s Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC).
A Historic Launch Under New Leadership
The launch of GSLV-F15 also marked the first mission under ISRO’s new chairman, V Narayanan, who took office on January 13, 2025, succeeding S Somanath. The event follows the GSLV-F12 mission that successfully deployed the first second-generation navigation satellite, NVS-01, on May 29, 2023. The countdown for this latest mission commenced at 2:53 AM on January 28, lasting 27.30 hours before liftoff.
🌍 A view like no other! Watch onboard footage from GSLV-F15 during the launch of NVS-02.
India’s space programme continues to inspire! 🚀 #GSLV #NAVIC #ISRO pic.twitter.com/KrrO3xiH1s— ISRO (@isro) January 29, 2025
Significance of NVS-02 and Its Role in NavIC
The NVS-02 satellite is a crucial addition to India’s navigation constellation, enhancing the country’s ability to provide precise positioning services. This satellite is the second in a series of five next-generation NavIC satellites designed to replace aging components in India’s navigation system. With NVS-02 in orbit, the operational satellites in the NavIC constellation will increase from four to five, improving location-based services in India and extending coverage up to 1,500 kilometers beyond its borders.
Key features of NVS-02 include:
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Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS): A highly precise atomic clock for accurate timekeeping.
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Advanced Navigation Payload: Operating in three frequency bands (L1, L5, and S) to ensure high-accuracy positioning.
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Strategic and Civilian Applications: Used for terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation, fleet management, precision agriculture, orbit determination for satellites, emergency response, and location-based services in mobile devices.
NavIC: India’s Answer to Global Navigation Systems
NavIC, originally known as IRNSS, is India’s indigenous alternative to the US-owned Global Positioning System (GPS). With a total of seven satellites, the system offers two types of services:
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Standard Positioning Service (SPS): Available for civilian use.
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Restricted Service (RS): Reserved for strategic applications, including defense and emergency services.
According to ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) Director Nilesh Desai, “This is the fifth in the series of operational NavIC satellites. Older satellites are being replaced with a new series, ensuring improved accuracy and reliability of our navigation system.”
Former scientist RC Kapoor emphasized that NavIC enhances India’s independence in space-based positioning services, reducing reliance on foreign satellite networks such as GPS, Russia’s GLONASS, Europe’s Galileo, and China’s BeiDou.
Wide-Ranging Benefits of NavIC
The expansion of NavIC’s capabilities will have far-reaching impacts across various sectors:
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Agriculture: Farmers will gain access to more accurate data for precision farming, yield forecasting, and sustainable agricultural practices.
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Urban Planning and Infrastructure: Improved navigation data will aid traffic management, smart city development, and public service optimization.
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Defense and Security: India’s military will have an independent and secure navigation system, crucial for strategic operations.
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Commercial Applications: Businesses will benefit from enhanced fleet tracking, last-mile delivery optimization, and IoT-based applications.
A Debate Over ISRO’s 100th Launch
While ISRO officially recognizes this mission as its 100th launch, some space enthusiasts and analysts have debated this classification. Discussions on social media and space forums suggest that previous missions, including the SpaDeX mission on December 30, 2024, may have been counted differently. However, ISRO clarified that the count includes all launches from the Sriharikota Range (SHAR), encompassing orbital, sub-orbital, sounding rocket, test demonstration, and private launches.
An ISRO official stated, “There is a difference between launches and missions. When we say it is the 100th launch, we mean all launches conducted from Sriharikota.”
India’s Space Ambitions: Looking Beyond NVS-02
ISRO’s successful launch of NVS-02 reaffirms India’s leadership in space technology and navigation systems. Looking ahead, ISRO is preparing for ambitious projects such as NISAR, a joint Earth observation mission with NASA, and further advancements in space exploration.
As India continues to innovate in satellite technology, navigation, and interplanetary missions, the success of ISRO’s 100th launch stands as a testament to the country’s growing capabilities in space research and development. With a vision for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047,’ ISRO is set to play a crucial role in making India a global leader in space exploration.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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