/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24016885/STK093_Google_04.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24808816/Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_____Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_2023_7_25_94252.263_1440p_streamshot.png)
New Delhi: ISRO’s GSLV rocket carrying navigation satellite NVS-01 was successfully launched from Sriharikota Space Center on Monday. The 51.7 meter tall rocket lifted off spectacularly from the second launch pad of the Sriharikota Spaceport, located about 130 km from Chennai. It took off at the pre-scheduled time of 10.42 am amid clear skies. About 20 minutes after launch, the rocket placed the 2,232 kg satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) at an altitude of about 251 km.
The Indian space agency aims to enhance the continuity of navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) services with the launch of the satellite.
The second-generation navigation satellite series is considered an important launch that will ensure continuity of NAVIC services – an Indian regional satellite navigation system similar to GPS, which provides accurate and real-time navigation in the country and the main satellites in an area spanning 1,500 km. around the land.
ISRO said that the signals from the NAVIC are designed to provide user position to better than 20 meters and timing accuracy to better than 50 nanoseconds.
The second generation satellite will also have an indigenously developed rubidium atomic clock. Earlier ISRO scientists used an imported atomic clock.
ISRO specifically developed the NAVIC system to meet the country’s positioning, navigation and timing requirements with respect to civil aviation and military requirements.
NavIC was earlier known as Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) and is designed with a constellation of seven satellites and a network of ground stations that operates 24×7.
It provides two services – Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service for strategic users.
NavIC SPS signals are interoperable with US Global Navigation Satellite System signals, GPS, GLONASS from Russia, Galileo (European Union) and BeiDou, China.
Monday’s mission is the sixth operational flight of GSLV with the indigenous cryogenic stage. ISRO said that the mission life of NVS-01 is expected to be better than 12 years.
