New Delhi, Oct. 31 -- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday successfully launched its next-generation navigation satellite, NVS-03, aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket, strengthening India's efforts to build an independent satellite navigation system and reduce reliance on foreign positioning services.

The rocket lifted off from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 11.51 pm on October 30.

It placed the 2,232-kg satellite into its intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit after approximately 18 minutes and 40 seconds.

The mission marked the 20th flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and followed the previous GSLV mission, F17, by 56 days.

The launch is significant be...