ISRO's GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the second-generation navigation satellite NVS-03 lifts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. | Photo Credit: PTI The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F18) on Saturday (October 31, 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 2250 kg NVS-03 is the third satellite in the next-generation navigation satellite system envisaged for providing continuity of navigation services for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) series or the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC).According to the ISRO, the satellite carries an indigenous atomic clock, along with procured atomic clocks.“It also includes L1 signal in addition to existing L5/S signals with coverage over India landmass and a region extending 1,500 km around Indian geopolitical boundary,” the ISRO said.NavIC is India’s independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide accurate position, navigation, and Timing (PNT) services to users in India as well as the region extending about 1,500 km beyond the Indian landmass, which is its primary service area.The successful launch of the NVS-03, which will have a mission life of 12 years, is expected to restore the functioning of the NavIC constellation, which has been weakened due to repeated failures of atomic clocks and the ISRO’s inability to place its previous replacement satellite, NVS-02, in its intended orbit.It can be recalled that earlier this year on March 13 the last functioning atomic clock aboard IRNSS-1F had stopped working.Saturday’s launch is only the third mission to be launched by ISRO in 2026 after the PSLV-C62 mission carrying the EOS-N1 earth observation satellite on January 12, 2026 and the EOS-05 aboard the GSLV-F17 on September 4. While the PSLV-C62 mission was a failure, the GSLV-F17 mission was a success.

Published - October 31, 2026 12:39 am IST