The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has started the countdown for its historic 100th mission at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The mission, involving the launch of the navigation satellite NVS-02 aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F15), is scheduled for January 29 at 6:23 am.
This marks the first mission under ISRO’s new chairman, V. Narayanan, who assumed office on January 13.
Mission Highlights
- Launch Vehicle: The GSLV-F15, standing 50.9 meters tall, is equipped with an indigenous cryogenic upper stage. This is its 17th flight.
- Payload: The NVS-02 satellite, weighing 2,250 kg, is part of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) second-generation series.
- Countdown: The 27-hour countdown began at 2:53 am on January 28.
The GSLV-F15 follows the success of the GSLV-F12 mission, which launched the NVS-01 satellite in May 2023.
What is NVS-02?
The NVS-02 satellite is the second in the NavIC second-generation series. NavIC, or Navigation with Indian Constellation, is designed to provide precise positioning, velocity, and timing services to users across India and regions up to 1,500 km beyond its borders.
Key Features of NVS-02:
- Payload: Navigation in L1, L5, and S bands, with a C-band ranging payload.
- Applications:
- Terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation.
- Precision agriculture.
- Fleet management and IoT-based services.
- Location-based services in mobile devices.
- Emergency and timing services.
- Orbit determination for satellites.
Significance of the Mission
This milestone mission strengthens ISRO’s capabilities in satellite navigation and demonstrates India’s self-reliance in space technology. The NavIC system will support critical sectors like agriculture, transportation, and communication while enhancing the reliability of navigation services in the region.