The Indian Space Research Organisation launched its NVS-03 navigation satellite aboard a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle on Friday night, marking another step forward for India's independent satellite navigation capabilities.

The GSLV-F18 rocket lifted off at 11:51 p.m. Indian Standard Time from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Eighteen minutes later, the vehicle injected the 2,250-kilogram satellite into the intended elliptical geosynchronous transfer orbit with a perigee of 170 kilometers and an apogee of 37,023 kilometers.

NVS-03 is the third satellite in ISRO's next-generation navigation series designed to support the Navigation with Indian Constellation, or NavIC. The system provides positioning, navigation, and timing services over India and a surrounding region extending 1,500 kilometers beyond the country's landmass. The satellite carries an indigenous rubidium atomic clock along with procured clocks and introduces an L1 signal in addition to the existing L5 and S signals.

The launch restores NavIC to a minimum operational configuration of four satellites after previous issues with atomic clocks and the failure of the NVS-02 satellite to reach its final orbit. NVS-03 has a planned mission life of 12 years and will use its onboard propulsion to reach a geosynchronous slot at 32.5 degrees East.

ISRO took an unprecedented precaution for this mission by keeping the satellite's pyro valves open during launch to prevent a repeat of the NVS-02 issue. This was the agency's third launch of 2026 and the second successful GSLV mission this year following a 56-day turnaround between the two flights.

ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan confirmed the successful injection and congratulated the teams involved. The mission represents continued progress in India's efforts to develop self-reliant space technology for both civilian and strategic applications.