Category: Technology News
ISRO’s GSLV-F18 rocket lifted off from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 11:51 PM on 30 October 2026 and placed the NVS-03 navigation satellite into its intended orbit. The launch restores NavIC, India’s own regional navigation system, to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites.
GSLV-F18 was the 20th flight of the GSLV rocket. About 18 minutes after lift-off, it released the 2,250 kg NVS-03 satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. ISRO declared “Mission Success” at 12:23 AM on 31 October.
What happened after launch
NVS-03 then began climbing to its working slot using its own engine. Its first orbit-raising burn was completed on 31 October at 4:48 PM IST, firing for 2,174.8 seconds — about 36 minutes — and raising the satellite’s lowest point from 170 km to about 5,478 km. ISRO reported the satellite’s health as normal.
Further manoeuvres are planned to place NVS-03 in its designated geostationary slot at 111.75 degrees East. The navigation payload still has to be switched on and tested before NVS-03 counts as a fourth working NavIC satellite.
Why NVS-03 matters
NVS-03 is the third of five next-generation NVS satellites (NVS-01 to NVS-05) for NavIC — Navigation with Indian Constellation. The previous satellite in the series, NVS-02, was stranded in 2025 after a valve failure, and NavIC had been running short of working satellites since then. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan said the mission brings NavIC back to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites.
NVS-03 carries an indigenously developed Rubidium atomic clock, along with procured clocks, and broadcasts on the L1, L5 and S frequency bands. NavIC provides positioning, navigation and timing services across India and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders, supporting border security, aviation, maritime navigation and disaster management.
ISRO’s year so far
GSLV-F18 was ISRO’s second launch of 2026 and the third launch from India this year. The chairman announced that two more navigation satellites are planned in the coming months, with NVS-04 and NVS-05 still to come.
Source: PIB, 1 November 2026; The Hindu, 2 November 2026; IANS, 1 November 2026.
