Sriharikota, Oct. 30 -- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday successfully launched its next-generation navigation satellite NVS-03, marking another step towards strengthening India's indigenous satellite navigation system, NavIC, which provides services across the country and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders.

The 50-metre-tall Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F18), carrying the 2,232-kg satellite, lifted off at 11.51 pm from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, following a 24-hour countdown.

After an approximately 18-minute flight, the rocket's three stages, including its complex cryogenic upper stage, performed successfully. The satellite was subsequently placed in its designated Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), with a planned perigee of 170 km and an apogee of 37,023 km.

"The GSLV F18 vehicle has successfully injected the NVS-03 satellite into its designated injection orbit. The GSLV F18-NVS03 mission has been successfully accomplished," ISRO announced.

The satellite will use its onboard propulsion system to reach its final geosynchronous orbital position at 32.5 degrees East. In an unprecedented safety measure, ISRO launched it with its propulsion system's pyrotechnic valves already open to ensure reliability.

NVS-03 carries an indigenous Rubidium atomic clock alongside procured atomic clocks. It will transmit navigation signals across the L1, L5 and S frequency bands, improving positioning, navigation and timing services.

It is the third satellite in NavIC's next-generation series and will complement existing operational satellites, including NVS-01, helping maintain continuity of services.

NavIC, formerly known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), is designed to provide independent positioning, navigation and timing services across India and an area extending approximately 1,500 km beyond its geographical boundaries.

The launch comes as the government moves to strengthen India's standard time infrastructure, having recently notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.