In News:

ISRO successfully launched the NVS-02 satellite aboard GSLV-F15, placing it into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). This marks ISRO’s 100th mission, reinforcing India’s space and navigation capabilities under the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) program.

What is NavIC?

• NavIC is India’s indigenous regional satellite navigation system, developed for both civilian and strategic use.
• Offers accurate positioning over India and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders.
• Comparable to GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China).

About NVS-02 Satellite:

Feature                 Description

Series                   Second satellite in the next-gen NVS series (after NVS-01 in 2023)

Mission Role       Replaces aging IRNSS-1E satellite

Mass                    2,250 kg

Power Capacity   ~3 kW

Orbit                    Final orbital slot at 111.75°E in geosynchronous orbit (~36,000 km)

Life Span             12 years

Developed by      URSC (U R Rao Satellite Centre), Bengaluru

Technological Advancements:

• Equipped with navigation payloads across L1, L5, and S-bands for enhanced accuracy and broader coverage.
• Features the Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS) – an indigenously developed atomic clock for precision timekeeping.
• Includes C-band ranging payload, similar to NVS-01.

Significance of NVS-02:

• Enhances NavIC’s positioning accuracy for civilian, commercial, and strategic applications:
  • Disaster management
  • Fleet tracking
  • Precision agriculture
  • Emergency response
  • Mobile navigation
• L1 signal inclusion makes NavIC-compatible with international GNSS systems, improving global device integration.
• Demonstrates India’s technological self-reliance, particularly in atomic clock development.

ISRO’s Launch Vehicles

Vehicle         First Flight         Notable Use

SLV              1980                     Launched Rohini satellite

ASLV           1987                     Five-stage solid rocket, retired in 1990s

PSLV           1994                     Reliable, used for Mars Orbiter, LEO missions

GSLV          2001                      Used for heavier payloads, INSAT/GSAT

GSLV         2014                       Heavy-lift, Chandrayaan-2/3, Gaganyaan crew module

Mk III (LVM3)

SSLV          2022                      Affordable launches for nano/micro satellites