NVS-03

NVS-03
NVS series spacecraft
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorISRO
Mission durationPlanned: 12 years
Elapsed: 3 years, 2 months, 30 days
Spacecraft properties
BusI-2K
ManufacturerISRO Satellite Centre
Space Applications Centre
Launch mass2,232 kilograms (4,921 lb)
Start of mission
Launch dateSeptember 2026 (expected)
RocketGSLV Mk II F18 (planned)
Launch siteSatish Dhawan, SLP
ContractorISRO
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeosynchronous
Longitude129.55° East
Inclination5.1°

NVS-03 is the third in the series of second generation navigation satellite (NVS) and the eleventh satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), with an alternate name of, IRNSS-1L. It will augment the existing satellite and bolster the capability of the NavIC constellation by adding more robustness and new features.[1]

Payload

NVS-03 has two types of payloads, navigation payload and the ranging payload. The navigation payload transmits navigation service signals to the users. This payload is operating in L1 band, L5 band and S band. A highly stable Rubidium atomic clock is part of the navigation payload of the satellite. Failure of the imported Rubidium atomic clocks across the fleet of previous generation of satellite led to the creation of an indigenous option which was developed by the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad.[2]

The ranging payload consists of transponder which is operated in CDMA mode for two-way range measurements. The IRNSS satellites continuously emits time stamped navigation signals, which are received by the ground-based user receivers. The information is then processed by the receivers to derive their own position, velocity and time. The system provides seamless, uninterrupted services under all weather conditions.[3]

The new generation of navigation satellite features a new and improved encryption system for bolstering the communication of the satellite specially for the restricted users.[4]

Satellite

The satellite will help in maintaining the continuity that was lagging due to the failure of Rubidium Atomic clocks in previous satellites whilst bolstering the feature set with new bands and longer life. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System space segment consists of seven satellites. With the new series of satellites, ISRO aims to tap into the low power satellite navigation segment like Smart Watches and fitness trackers whilst cementing its Navigation system by allowing it to seamlessly integrate and interoperate with the existing Navigation system. The inclusion of the civilian L1 band will further bolsters Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System position in the mass market.[5]

Launch

NVS-03s expected to be launched by the GSLV in the first week of September or November[6] 2026. The satellite has been sent to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and is ready for launch as of 14 August 2026.[7][8]. The satellite will likely launch in September 2026.[9]

Animation of IRNSS
Around the Earth
Around the Earth - Polar view
Earth fixed frame - Equatorial view, front
Earth fixed frame - Equatorial view, side
Earth fixed frame - Polar view
   Earth ·   IRNSS-1B  ·   IRNSS-1C  ·   IRNSS-1E  ·   IRNSS-1F  ·   IRNSS-1G  ·   IRNSS-1I

References

  1. ↑ "ISRO's new NavIC satellite launches successfully: Why a regional navigation system matters to India". Indian Express. 2023-05-30.
  2. ↑ Das, Mehul Reuben (2023-05-23). "India joins an elite club, one of 5 countries to use Rubidium Atomic Clock in their GPS satellite". Firstpost.
  3. ↑ "India's navigation system gets a boost after ISRO successfully launches NVS-01 satellite". Hindustan Times. 2023-05-29.
  4. ↑ "From NavIC 1.0 to 2.0, ISRO needs to learn from mistakes". Financial Express. 2023-05-23.
  5. ↑ Chaitanya, SV Krishna (2023-05-30). "India's NavIC may replace GPS". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023.
  6. ↑ "ISRO set to resume launches after 7-month pause with GISAT-1A in September". The Indian Express. 2026-08-18. Retrieved 2026-08-18.
  7. ↑ Pillai, Soumya (2026-08-14). "Exclusive: ISRO is ready to launch its navigation satellite NVS-03 in September". ThePrint. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
  8. ↑ "Strengthening India's Space Sovereignty" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 2026-08-14. Retrieved 2026-08-15. While NVS-03 is ready for launch and NVS-04 and NVS-05 are under advanced realization.
  9. ↑ "Isro to return to launchpad with Gisat-1A; lift-off likely on Sept 4". The Times of India. 2026-08-28. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-08-28.

See also

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