Overview
- The GSLV‑F18 lifted off from Sriharikota at 11:51 pm IST on Friday and injected the 2,232–2,250 kg NVS‑03 into a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a roughly 170 km perigee and ~37,000 km apogee.
- ISRO applied targeted fixes after the NVS‑02 failure by flying the satellite’s pyrotechnic valves already open to avoid an electrical ignition fault that earlier prevented orbit raising when connector contacts disengaged.
- NVS‑03 carries an indigenous rubidium atomic clock and will broadcast L1, L5 and S‑band signals, with the L1 frequency making NavIC more compatible with common smartphones and wearable devices.
- The satellite must complete orbit‑raising and in‑orbit commissioning before it becomes operational, and once commissioned it will give NavIC the four working satellites needed for basic standalone position, navigation and timing services.
- Restoring NavIC affects everyday users and critical systems by improving device-level navigation and precise timing for banks, transport and defence, and it complements other moves such as ground atomic clocks and planned NVS‑04/NVS‑05 launches.