India has successfully launched a new NVS navigation satellite-03 to strengthen the national NavIC positioning system. The launch vehicle GSLV Mark II launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) confirmed, that the vehicle was successfully launched into the planned geotransition orbit in approx 30 minutes after the start.
NVS-03 became the third satellite of the next generation, developed for the NavIC group — the Indian analogue of the American GPS system. Unlike the US global network, the Indian NavIC is a regional system. Its main purpose is to provide high-precision positioning services, navigation and time synchronization (PNT) users in India, and also within a radius of close to 1500 kilometers beyond its land borders.
This launch was critically important for the functioning of the entire system. Currently, the Indian navigation group has three fully operational satellites, while at least four active devices are required to fully provide PNT services. That is why experts in the space industry will closely monitor the stage of testing and introduction of NVS-03 into operation.
For the three-stage rocket GSLV Mark II tall 52 meters this mission was the 14th flight since its debut in 2010 year, moreover 12 of these launches were successful. This is the fourth space launch for India 2026 year. Three of them were implemented by the state agency ISRO, and another is the private company Skyroot Aerospace, which became India's first commercial operator in July, that successfully reached orbit.
Source: https://www.space.com