ISRO to launch 100th satellite on Jan 29

Bengaluru

ISRO is set to launch its 100th satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on January 29. The space agency will carry out the GSLV-F15 NVS-02 mission, marking a significant milestone in India's space journey.

The GSLV-F15 rocket, equipped with an Indigenous Cryogenic stage, will place the NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The launch will occur from the Second Launch Pad at the space centre.

The NVS-02 is the second satellite in the NVS series, following NVS-01, launched on May 29, 2023. It features navigation payloads in L1, L5, and S bands, and a ranging payload in the C-band. The satellite has a lift-off mass of 2,250 kg and a power capability of 3 kW. Positioned at 111.75°E, it will replace the IRNSS-1E satellite.

The Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, India's independent regional navigation satellite system, offers precise positioning, velocity, and timing services within India and up to 1,500 km beyond the country’s borders. NVS-02 will help enhance this system's accuracy and service continuity.

Designed and developed at ISRO's U R Satellite Centre, NVS-02 uses a mix of indigenous and procured atomic clocks for time estimation. GSLV-F15 will also be the 17th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle and the 11th using the Indigenous Cryogenic stage.