ISRO Set to Launch GSLV-F18 Navigation Satellite Tonight
ISRO will launch the GSLV-F18 mission tonight at 11:51 PM from Sriharikota, deploying the NVS-03 navigation satellite.
Sriharikota, October 30 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the launch of its GSLV-F18/NVS-03 mission this Friday night. The launch is scheduled for 11:51 PM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO announced the launch schedule on the social media platform X, stating, “Launch Day! GSLV-F18/NVS-03 mission is set for launch on October 30 at 11:51 PM from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.”
This mission will place the NVS-03 satellite, the third in India’s second-generation navigation satellite series, into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The launch will take place from the second launch pad (SLP) of the space center.
According to ISRO, GSLV-F18 marks the 20th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
The NVS-03 satellite is designed to enhance the “Navigation with Indian Constellation” (NavIC) system, ensuring the continuity of navigation services. It features both indigenous and purchased atomic clocks. Additionally, it will include the existing L5 and S signals, along with the new L1 navigation signal, which will improve the system’s navigation capabilities.
ISRO explained, “The satellite will provide coverage up to 1500 km from India and Indian territory, including the existing L5/S signals and the new L1 signal.”
NavIC is India’s independent regional navigation satellite system, developed to provide accurate positioning, velocity, and timing (PVT) services to users within approximately 1500 km of Indian territory.
ISRO offers two types of services through NavIC: Standard Positioning Service for the general public and Restricted Service for authorized users, which is an encrypted service.
To enhance the existing NavIC constellation and ensure service continuity, ISRO has planned five second-generation navigation satellites.
The first satellite in this series, NVS-01, was launched on May 29, 2023, during the GSLV-F12 mission, marking the first time an indigenous atomic clock was flown on an Indian navigation satellite.
NVS-03 aims to strengthen the capabilities of the constellation by integrating the L1 signal alongside the existing L5 and S signals.
