ISRO's GSLV-F18 Successfully Lifts Off From Sriharikota With Next-Gen Navigation Satellite

News world ISRO's GSLV-F18 Successfully Lifts Off From Sriharikota With Next-Gen Navigation Satellite

Last Updated:October 31, 2026, 01:06 IST

The 50-metre-tall rocket lifted off from the spaceport's second launch pad at 11.51 pm, following a 24-hour countdown.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday successfully launched its GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the next-generation navigation satellite NVS-03 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The 50-metre-tall rocket lifted off from the spaceport’s second launch pad at 11.51 pm, following a 24-hour countdown.

In its latest update, ISRO confirmed that the mission had been accomplished, with the rocket successfully injecting the satellite into its intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

The three-stage launch vehicle, weighing 420 tonnes at lift-off, carried the 2,232 kg NVS-03 satellite. The launch marks an important step in strengthening India’s independent satellite navigation capabilities.

NVS-03 To Strengthen India’s NavIC Network

NVS-03 is the third satellite in ISRO’s next-generation navigation satellite series, designed to ensure continuity of services under the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC.

According to ISRO, the satellite carries an indigenous atomic clock alongside procured atomic clocks. It also introduces the L1 frequency signal in addition to the existing L5 and S-band signals.

“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," ISRO said.

The addition of the L1 signal is expected to improve compatibility with modern civilian navigation devices, including smartphones and wearable technology.

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh congratulated the ISRO team on the successful launch, calling it a reflection of India’s growing capabilities in space technology and its commitment to strengthening indigenous navigation systems.

“With revolutionary Space reforms announced by PM Narendra Modi in recent years, India’s success stories in Space vindicate the dream of founding fathers Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan. Today is the celebration of another proud moment for India!" he wrote in a post on X.

(With inputs from PTI)

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