Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated the scientists and engineers of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) following the successful launch of the GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the NVS-03 satellite.
In a post on X, PM Modi said the mission marked an important step towards strengthening India’s indigenous satellite navigation system, NavIC. He added that the satellite’s enhanced capabilities would further the country’s efforts towards self-reliance in critical technologies and support navigation services for people.
This mission marks an important step in strengthening NavIC, our indigenous satellite navigation system. Equipped with enhanced capabilities, NVS-03 will further our pursuit of self-reliance in critical technologies and support navigation services that benefit our people.
The dedication and ingenuity of our space scientists continue to make our nation proud," PM Modi wrote.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday successfully launched its GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the next-generation navigation satellite NVS-03 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The 50-metre-tall launch vehicle took off from the spaceport’s second launch pad at 11.51 pm after a 24-hour countdown.
In its latest update, ISRO confirmed the successful completion of the mission, stating that the rocket had placed the satellite into its intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
The three-stage rocket, with a lift-off mass of 420 tonnes, carried the 2,232-kg NVS-03 satellite. The mission is expected to strengthen India’s independent satellite navigation capabilities.
NVS-03 To Strengthen India’s NavIC Network
NVS-03 is the third satellite in ISRO’s next-generation navigation satellite series. It is designed to ensure continuity of services under the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), popularly known as NavIC.
The satellite features an indigenous atomic clock along with procured atomic clocks. It also introduces the L1 frequency signal in addition to the existing L5 and S-band signals, ISRO said.
"The satellite carries an indigenous Atomic clock, along with procured Atomic clocks. It also includes L1 signal in addition to existing L5/S signals with coverage over India landmass and a region extending 1500 km around Indian geopolitical boundary," ISRO said.
The introduction of the L1 signal is expected to improve compatibility with modern civilian navigation devices, including smartphones and wearable technology.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team on the successful launch. He described the achievement as a reflection of India’s growing space technology capabilities and its commitment to strengthening indigenous navigation systems.
