GSLV-F18/NVS-03 Mission is scheduled for launch on 30th October 2026, at 23:51 hours IST from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. (Photo: X/@isro) | Photo Credit: ANI
ISRO’s third space launch of 2026, GSLV-F18, will carry the 2,250-kg NVS-03 satellite into orbit. The mission is crucial to India’s efforts to gradually revive its ageing NavIC navigation satellite constellation.
Also read | Countdown progressing for ISRO’s crucial GSLV-F18 launch carrying navigation satellite NVS-03
Envisaged as India’s indigenous alternative to the U.S. GPS, Russia’s GLONASS and China’s BeiDou, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is designed to provide independent navigation services across India and the surrounding region.
Around 18 minutes and 40 seconds after liftoff from the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota, the GSLV-F18 rocket is expected to deploy the NVS-03 satellite into its initial Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). ISRO will then use the satellite’s onboard thrusters to raise it to its designated orbit.
NVS-03 is equipped with an indigenous atomic clock alongside procured atomic clocks. It also features the L1 signal, in addition to the existing L5 and S-band signals, to enhance India’s NavIC navigation services.
Leave a Reply