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Published 23:49 IST, January 28th 2025

ISRO's Historic 100th Mission: How the NVS-02 Satellite Strengthens India's GPS Alternative

NavIC, India’s independent regional navigation satellite system, is designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services across India.

Reported by: Digital Desk
NavIC, India’s independent regional navigation satellite system, is designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services across India.
NavIC, India’s independent regional navigation satellite system, is designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services across India. | Image: ISRO

New Delhi, India: India's indigenous navigation system, Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), continues to strengthen its capabilities with the introduction of second-generation satellites. 

NavIC, India’s independent regional navigation satellite system, is designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services across India and a region extending 1,500 km beyond its borders, ensuring strategic independence in satellite navigation.  

NavIC offers two types of services:  

1. Standard Positioning Service (SPS): Provides position accuracy of better than 20 meters and timing accuracy of better than 40 nanoseconds.  

2. Restricted Service (RS): A highly secure service intended for authorized users.  

To enhance service continuity and widen coverage, five second-generation satellites, known as the NVS series (NVS-01 to NVS-05), have been developed. These satellites incorporate additional features, including signals in the L1 band, improving NavIC’s overall capabilities.  

Key Developments in the NVS Series  

- NVS-01: The first of the new series was launched aboard GSLV-F12 on May 29, 2023. It marked a milestone by using an indigenous atomic clock for the first time, a critical component for precise timekeeping.  

- NVS-02: The second satellite, configured with navigation payloads in the L1, L5, and S bands and a C-band ranging payload, features a mix of indigenous and procured atomic clocks for precision. It weighs 2,250 kg, has a power capacity of ~3 kW, and is set to replace IRNSS-1E at 111.75ºE.  

NVS-02 Testing and Launch Readiness  

NVS-02 underwent rigorous testing at the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC):  

- Thermovac Testing (Nov-Dec 2024): Ensured the satellite's performance in simulated space conditions.  

- Dynamic Testing (Dec 2024): Validated the satellite's ability to withstand launch conditions.  

After a comprehensive Pre-shipment Review on December 27, 2024, the satellite was transported to SDSC-SHAR on January 5, 2025, for its upcoming launch scheduled in January 2025.  

Updated 23:49 IST, January 28th 2025