ISRO launches NVS-03 navigation satellite aboard GSLV-F18 to restore NavIC network
The Indian Space Research Organisation launched its GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the 2,250-kilogram NVS-03 navigation satellite from Sriharikota, successfully placing the spacecraft into a geosynchronous transfer orbit to replenish India's indigenous NavIC constellation.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the NVS-03 navigation satellite late Friday night, October 30, 2026, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Lifting off from the spaceport's second launch pad at 11:51 pm, the vehicle marked the 20th flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle and ISRO's third space launch of the year.[3][8][11][12]
Approximately 18 minutes after liftoff, the rocket injected the 2,250-kilogram satellite into its intended geosynchronous transfer orbit. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan confirmed that the spacecraft was successfully and precisely deployed into the intended elliptical orbit, congratulating mission teams, industrial partners, and academia. Over the coming days, NVS-03 will use its onboard propulsion systems to execute orbital maneuvers and reach its final geostationary orbit.[3][8]
The launch restores India's regional navigation network, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites. As the third satellite in India's second-generation navigation series, NVS-03 carries an indigenously manufactured atomic clock alongside procured atomic clocks, and introduces an L1 civil signal compatible with modern consumer devices alongside existing L5 and S bands. The satellite provides navigation, positioning, and timing coverage across the Indian landmass and an area extending 1,500 kilometers around India's borders.[1][2][4][6][7][9]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on the milestone, describing the mission as an important step in reinforcing the nation's independent positioning capabilities. Domestic industry also contributed to the flight, with Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies supplying critical avionics, electronics, and spacecraft subsystems for the mission.[2][5][10]
Key facts
- ISRO launched the GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the NVS-03 navigation satellite from Sriharikota at 11:51 pm on October 30, 2026.
- The GSLV-F18 mission deployed the 2,250 kg satellite into its intended geosynchronous transfer orbit 18 minutes after liftoff.
- The flight was the 20th launch of the GSLV and marked ISRO's third space mission in 2026.
- NVS-03 restores the NavIC constellation to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites.
- NVS-03 is equipped with an indigenously developed atomic clock, procured atomic clocks, and an L1 signal alongside existing L5 and S bands.
- Hyderabad-headquartered Ananth Technologies provided critical avionics, electronics, and spacecraft subsystems for the GSLV-F18 mission.
Sources · 5 sources
- ET
Economic Times@EconomicTimesPost on X ·
India’s GPS is getting a new “eye in the sky” tonight | India is set to strengthen its independent satellite navigation network on Friday night, with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) preparing to launch the GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the NVS-03 navigation satellite. The mission will deploy NVS-03, the third satellite in India's second-generation Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) programme, into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Full Report Here 👇 https://t.co/AvSFLoPG1C #ISRO #Space #Satellite #Technology #India #GPS #NavIC
Open source - MI
Mint@livemintPost on X ·
PM Modi hailed ISRO’s successful launch of NVS-03, which restored NavIC to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites. Carrying atomic clocks and an L1 signal compatible with modern devices, the satellite strengthens India’s independent navigation and precise timekeeping capabilities. https://t.co/6ekOeZT9HR
Open source - TH
The Hindu@the_hinduPost on X ·
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F18) on Friday (October 30, 2026) successfully launched the NVS-03 satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, according to the ISRO. The GSLV-F18 with the NVS-03 satellite lifted off from the second launch pad of the spaceport and, 18 minutes later placed the satellite into the intended geosynchronous transfer orbit. “The GSLV-F18 vehicle has successfully and precisely injected the NVS-03 satellite weighing 2250 kg in the intended elliptical orbit. Let me congratulate each and every team member of ISRO, industrial partners, academia for this outstanding accomplishment,” ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan said.
Open source - TT
The Times Of India@timesofindiaPost on X ·
The successful night launch of #Isro’s navigation #satellite NVS-03 carrying an indigenously-manufactured atomic clock along with procured (foreign) atomic clocks on Friday will make India’s indigenous satellite navigation system NaVIC or desi GPS up and running again. The success of GSLV-F18 mission is a big boost for India’s strategic forces as they are till now dependent on foreign navigation systems like #American #GPS and #Russian GLONASS for missile navigation. For more details 🔗 https://t.co/pI59mtdYO6 Dive deeper into the story with the TOI App 👉 https://t.co/ogFaRsVinV
Open source - TH
The Hindu@the_hinduPost on X ·
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (October 31, 2026) congratulated scientists and engineers at ISRO on the successful launch of GSLV-F18 carrying NVS-03 and said the mission marks an important step in strengthening NavIC, the country's indigenous satellite navigation system. https://t.co/WfMhmIxy5J
Open source - TH
The Hindu@the_hinduPost on X ·
India’s independent regional navigation satellite system NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) was restored to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites on Friday (October 30, 2026) as ISRO successfully launched its 2,250 kg navigation satellite NVS-03 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. https://t.co/kiWOTftksI
Open source - MI
Mint@livemintPost on X ·
#WATCH | GSLV-F18/NVS-03 Mission | GSLV-F18 rocket lifts off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The GSLV-F18 vehicle will place NVS-03 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. NVS-03 is the third satellite in next generation navigation satellite system envisaged for providing continuity of navigation services for IRNSS series. The satellite carries Indigenous Atomic clock, along with the procured Atomic clocks. It also includes L1 signal in addition to existing L5/S signals with Coverage over India land mass and a region extending 1500 km around Indian geopolitical boundary.
Open source - BU
businessline@businesslinePost on X ·
ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) lifted off for the twentieth time in the final minutes of Friday as it carried NVS-03, the latest entry in India’s NavIC series of satellites. The rocket took off from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh and successfully injected the satellite into the intended Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). Over the next few days, NVS-03 will use its own propulsion systems to perform orbital manoeuvres and rise to the final Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO). https://t.co/pOfvDDfF5n
Open source - ET
Economic Times@EconomicTimesPost on X ·
#ISRO's #NVS03 launch: Third indigenous #AtomicClock now in orbit 🔗 https://t.co/HEBFRXoW7T https://t.co/qBSdn2rbzh
Open source - TH
The Hindu@the_hinduPost on X ·
Hyderabad-headquartered Ananth Technologies (ATL) supplied critical avionics, electronics and spacecraft subsystems to Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISR) GSLV-F18 mission that placed the next generation navigation satellite NVS-03 in the orbit. https://t.co/49TOm8guzo
Open source - ET
Economic Times@EconomicTimesPost on X ·
India's own GPS just got a major upgrade from Sriharikota | ISRO successfully launched its GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the 2,250-kg NVS-03 satellite into orbit at 11:51 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, marking the agency's third space launch this year and a key step in replenishing and modernising the ageing NavIC network that provides independent navigation services across India and the surrounding region. 📖 FULL STORY ➠ https://t.co/V32xCyaIZI #ISRO #Space #India #NavIC #Technology
Open source - ET
Economic Times@EconomicTimesPost on X ·
ISRO launches its navigation satellite NVS-03 aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Marking the 20th flight of the GSLV, the mission will deploy the second-generation satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. NVS-03 carries an indigenous atomic clock to enhance NavIC’s positioning, navigation and timing services. https://t.co/giH3CHtvVR
Open source