BENGALURU: In what will be another landmark moment for India’s space programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is geared up for its 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Sriharikota with the GSLV-F15 mission, tentatively scheduled for January 29, at 6.23 am. This launch will deploy the NVS-02 satellite, furthering India’s indigenous Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system.
The GSLV-F15 is the 17th flight of the GSLV and the 11th flight featuring an indigenous cryogenic stage. Notably, this is the eighth operational flight of GSLV with a fully indigenous cryogenic stage, highlighting Isro’s technological prowess. The launch will take place from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Sriharikota, using a metallic payload fairing with a diameter of 3.4 meters. The mission’s primary objective is to place the NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
Indigenous Navigation
NavIC is India’s indigenous regional navigation satellite system, designed to provide precise Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services. The system covers India and extends approximately 1,500 km beyond the Indian landmass, offering two service types: Standard Positioning Service (SPS), which provides position accuracy better than 20 m, and Restricted Service (RS), which offers additional specialised navigation capabilities.
“The NVS-02 satellite is the second generation of NavIC satellites, featuring a standard I-2K bus platform. It will have a lift-off mass of 2,250 kg, power handling capability of around 3 kW, navigation payload in L1, L5, and S bands, ranging payload in C-band and will be positioned at 111.75ºE, replacing IRNSS-1E,” Isro said.
Satellite Details
The satellite incorporates a combination of indigenous and procured atomic clocks for precise time estimation. Designed and developed at the UR Satellite Centre (URSC), the NVS-02 underwent rigorous testing, including thermovac and dynamic tests to ensure optimal performance in space conditions. The NVS series builds upon Isro’s previous achievements, with NVS-01 being the first second-generation satellite launched on May 29, 2023. This mission marked the first flight of an indigenous atomic clock, demonstrating India’s growing technological capabilities in space exploration.
The upcoming GSLV-F15 launch not only celebrates Isro’s 100th launch from Sriharikota but also underscores India’s commitment to developing indigenous space technologies and navigation systems.
