The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the NVS-03 navigation satellite on Oct 30 at 11:51 PM, ISRO official Dr V. Narayanan announced during a visit to the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple.
The mission will be carried out using the GSLV-F18 launch vehicle from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota.
The NVS-03 satellite represents the third spacecraft in India’s next-generation navigation series, designed to ensure operational continuity and expand the capabilities of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS/NavIC).
Weighing approximately 2,250 kg, the satellite will be placed into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). It carries an indigenously developed Rubidium atomic clock alongside procured atomic clocks and introduces the civil L1 signal in addition to the existing L5 and S bands.
The satellite’s operational footprint covers the Indian landmass and extends up to 1,500 km beyond the nation’s geopolitical boundaries. The mission aims to bolster precise position, navigation, and timing (PNT) services supporting real-time train tracking, commercial fleet monitoring, maritime navigation, civil aviation, and strategic applications.
Marking the 20th flight of the GSLV, this launch will bring India’s operational navigation satellites in orbit to four, reinforcing technological self-reliance in regional positioning infrastructure.
