ISRO's 100th mission: GSLV-F15 launch of NVS-02 navigation satellite explained

The 27-hour countdown for ISRO’s landmark 100th mission began on Tuesday, with the launch of the NVS-02 navigation satellite aboard the GSLV-F15 rocket scheduled for 6:23 am on January 29. This mission marks a significant milestone for ISRO, being its 100th launch from the Sriharikota spaceport.

It will be the first under the leadership of ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan, who took office on January 13.

The NVS-02 satellite, the second in the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) series, aims to provide accurate positioning, velocity, and timing services across India and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders. Weighing 2,250 kg, NVS-02 is equipped with navigation payloads in L1, L5, and S bands, along with a C-band ranging payload.


The satellite’s key applications include terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation, precision agriculture, fleet management, and IoT-based services.

The GSLV-F15 rocket, equipped with an indigenous Cryogenic upper stage, will carry the NVS-02 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). This launch follows the successful GSLV-F12 mission in May 2023, which placed the first satellite of the second generation, NVS-01, into orbit.

NavIC, India's regional satellite navigation system, will be augmented by the NVS series to improve service continuity and expand its coverage. The system provides Standard Positioning Service (SPS) with an accuracy of better than 20 meters and timing accuracy of better than 40 nanoseconds.

Ahead of the launch, ISRO Chairman Dr. Narayanan, accompanied by scientists, visited the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala, offering prayers for the mission’s success and thanking divine blessings for past achievements. He also highlighted the government's decision to allocate Rs 400 crores for a third launch pad at Sriharikota, which will support the launch of heavier rockets.

The GSLV-F15/NVS-02 mission is poised to enhance the capabilities of NavIC, further strengthening India’s independent navigation satellite system and expanding its reach for critical applications across various sectors.