ISRO Achieves Milestone: First Satellite of Second-Generation Series Launched Successfully
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieves a major milestone with flawless placement of NVS-01 in geosynchronous transfer orbit.
Sriharikota, May 29, 2023: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone on Monday as it successfully placed NVS-01, the first satellite of the second-generation series, into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), in its 15th flight, flawlessly executed the mission, ensuring the continuity of navigational services and introducing new services in the L1 band.
Precise Orbit Placement and Overcoming Challenges
At precisely 10.42 am on Monday, GSLV-F12 lifted off from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota High Altitude Range. In a seamless operation, the GSLV-F12 rocket successfully positioned the 2232kg NVS-01 satellite at an altitude of 251km, just 19 minutes after liftoff. ISRO Chairman, S Somnath, expressed his satisfaction with the successful placement of the satellite in the precise orbit. He acknowledged that after the cryogenic stage issue encountered during the GSLV-F10 launch, necessary corrections and modifications were implemented. NVS-01 is the first of the five satellites planned for the second-generation series.
Confidence in the GSLV Program and Future Launches
Chairman Somnath also conveyed his confidence in the GSLV program, stating, “While there have been issues in the past, I am sure that the full configuration we all dreamt of making it operational is on the way.” He revealed that the next GSLV launch will involve the climate and weather observation satellite, Insat-3DS, and another launch is planned for the India-NASA synthetic aperture radar mission.
Technical Specifications and Enhanced Capabilities
ISRO officials highlighted that the NVS-01 satellite is built around the standard I-2K bus and is compatible with GSLV. Equipped with navigation payloads operating in L1, L5, and S bands, the satellite is powered by two solar arrays capable of generating up to 2.4kW of power. Additionally, it utilizes a lithium-ion battery to support payload and bus load during eclipse periods. The mission life of NVS-01 is expected to exceed 12 years.
Advancements in Navigation Services with NavIC
The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), known as NavIC, offers precise real-time positioning and timing services over India and an approximate region of 1500km around the Indian mainland. The NavIC constellation, fully deployed, consists of seven satellites that orbit in geosynchronous/inclined geosynchronous paths.
Officials noted that the second-generation satellite series, in comparison to the first-generation series, incorporates the L1 navigation band and includes the indigenously developed rubidium atomic clock. The rubidium atomic frequency standard (RAFS), which serves as the heart of the satellite, acts as a stable frequency reference for the navigation payload.
Applications and Future Prospects
The NavIC system finds numerous applications, including terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation, precision agriculture, geodetic surveying, emergency services, fleet management, location-based services in mobile devices, orbit determination for satellites, marine fisheries, timing services for financial institutions and power grids, government agency applications, internet-of-things (IoT) based services, and strategic applications.
With the successful launch of NVS-01, ISRO has taken a significant step towards strengthening India’s capabilities in space-based navigation and positioning services. The space agency remains committed to further advancements and future endeavors in space exploration and satellite technology.
