Launch of NVS-01 marks a new era in India’s space odyssey

In a historic breakthrough, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has taken another magnificent stride towards cosmic domination. Monday witnessed the triumph of human ingenuity and dedication as the nation successfully launched and inserted the first of its next-generation navigation satellites, NVS-01, into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit using the GSLV rocket.
This mission, crucial to the country’s regional navigation system, is not merely a symbol of India’s space prowess, but also a cornerstone for providing accurate, real-time navigation data, crucial to various sectors of the economy and national security. As NVS-01 embarks on its journey through subsequent orbit-raising manoeuvres to its intended geosynchronous orbit, ISRO engineers and the nation watch on with well-earned pride and anticipation.
The 51.7-meter-tall GSLV rocket, a modern marvel of space technology, ascended with the NVS-01 satellite at precisely 10.42 am, marking the successful culmination of a tense 27.5-hour countdown. The majestic launch was witnessed from the second launch pad of the spaceport, located approximately 130 km from Chennai. This spectacular launch marked GSLV’s 15th successful flight, each one a testament to India’s unwavering commitment to mastering the final frontier.
NVS-01’s launch is not just an incredible achievement in the annals of India’s space history, but it is also a pivotal element in the continuity of NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) services. Similar to the GPS, NavIC is India’s own regional satellite navigation system, providing accurate and real-time navigation signals that are critical to numerous domestic and strategic applications.
These signals, a testimony to India’s advanced satellite capabilities, are designed to provide user positioning accuracy better than 20 metres and timing accuracy better than 50 nanoseconds, comparable with the world’s best navigation systems. The NVS-01 launch is thus a reaffirmation of India’s resolve to strengthen its strategic assets and technological capabilities.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, in his post-launch address from the Mission Control Centre, congratulated the entire team for the “excellent outcome” of the mission. This triumph came on the heels of the GSLV F10 setback in August 2021, underlining ISRO’s resilience in the face of adversity. The chairman hailed the “corrections in the cryogenic stage and the lessons learnt” as instrumental in this remarkable turnaround, underscoring the importance of perseverance and continuous learning in the relentless pursuit of excellence. NVS-01 is no ordinary satellite; it’s the embodiment of India’s innovative spirit. This second-generation satellite comes with enhanced capabilities, including a more secure signal transmission and a new civilian frequency band. Somanath noted that this was the first of five such technologically advanced satellites to be launched.
The launch process was as mesmerising as it was precise. Just short of 20 minutes post lift-off, the GSLV rocket successfully deployed the 2,232 kg NVS-01 satellite into the intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) at an altitude of about 251 km.
One of the crowning features of NVS-01 is its indigenous rubidium atomic clock, a significant development that marks India’s stride into an exclusive club of nations possessing this vital technology. This time, the experts have opted for an indigenously developed rubidium atomic clock, a departure from earlier reliance on imported ones, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in crucial space technologies. The ambitious NVS-01 mission was the result of the tireless efforts of countless scientists, engineers, and support staff who overcame numerous challenges. GSLV-F12/NVS-01 Mission Director N P Giri acknowledged the “heartbreaking” GSLV-F10 anomaly and the subsequent correction efforts that led to the success of this mission.
ISRO’s satellite director for Monday’s mission, KVS Bhaskar, expressing his delight at the successful launch of NVS-01, noted that the L1 band will be interoperable, making it compatible with other global navigation satellite systems. The indigenous atomic clock onboard NVS-01 marks another significant leap for India in space technology.
The successful launch of NVS-01 continues India’s tradition of innovation in space technology. The NavIC system, earlier known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), has been developed to meet the positioning, navigation, and timing requirements of the country, especially in terms of civil aviation and military needs.
NavIC offers two services — Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service for strategic users, encompassing various applications, from terrestrial, aerial and maritime navigation to precision agriculture, location-based services in mobile devices, and marine fisheries. Monday’s mission marked the sixth operational flight of the GSLV with indigenous cryogenic stages. The mission life of NVS-01 is expected to be better than 12 years, thereby ensuring a sustained flow of vital navigation services for more than a decade.
India’s journey to the stars has not always been smooth, and the path to success is paved with setbacks and lessons. But each misstep has only reinforced the nation’s resolve to achieve its space ambitions. The NVS-01’s successful launch is the latest milestone in this journey, a beacon of India’s indomitable spirit, scientific prowess, and aspiration to make a mark on the global stage. As NVS-01 takes its place among the stars, it carries with it the hopes and dreams of a nation ready to reach for the sky and beyond.