As the countdown ended, the 50.9-meter GSLV rocket with an indigenous cryogenic upper stage successfully lifted off from the second launch pad at precisely 6:23 am, creating a dramatic scene as it lifted towards the cloudy skies

s vijay karthik I hyderabad

SRO celebrated its 100th mission on Wednesday with the successful launch of a navigation satellite designed for terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation, as well as precision agriculture, using a GSLV rocket that correctly placed the satellite in orbit. This launch marked the first under the leadership of ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, who took office on January 16, and the agency's initial mission of 2025.

Narayanan expressed his happiness post-launch, stating, “I am extremely happy to announce… that the first launch of this year has been successfully accomplished with GSLV-F15,” highlighting its significance as India's 100th launch.

As the countdown ended, the 50.9-meter GSLV rocket with an indigenous cryogenic upper stage successfully lifted off from the second launch pad at precisely 6:23 am, creating a dramatic scene as it lifted towards the cloudy skies. After approximately 19 minutes, the rocket effectively separated its payload into the designated Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

The new satellite, NVS-02, is the second in the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) series, which serves to provide accurate positioning, velocity, and timing for users in India and regions up to 1,500 km beyond the country's borders. Its predecessor, NVS-01, was launched on May 29, 2023.

ISRO stated that the key functions of the NVS-02 include various forms of navigation, precision agriculture, fleet management, location-based services, satellite orbit determination, and emergency timing services. NavIC will consist of five second-generation satellites—NVS-01 through NVS-05—to enhance service continuity.

The NVS-02 satellite, developed in Bengaluru, weighs around 2,250 kg and includes navigation payloads across L1, L5, and S bands, featuring a Tri-band antenna and Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS) for stable reference.

During his address, Narayanan reflected on ISRO's legacy, mentioning the visionary founder Professor Vikram Sarabhai and the series of leaders who followed. Since 1979, under various guidance, ISRO has developed six generations of launch vehicles, commencing with the SLV-3. To date, ISRO has executed 100 successful launches, elevating a total of 548 satellites, which include 120 tonnes of payloads and 433 foreign satellites.

The launch site has been pivotal in achieving several key milestones, including the Chandrayaan missions and other major satellite launches. Narayanan acknowledged the collective efforts of past and present leaders, employees, and industry partners, thanking the political leadership for their support. He emphasized NavIC's growing importance in India's satellite navigation realm.

He also mentioned upcoming projects, including the NISAR mission with NASA and ongoing preparations for the uncrewed G1 mission under the Gaganyaan program. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his strategic vision and support for ISRO's future developmental plans.