The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has yet another achievement in its history: the successful launch of the GSLV-F15 rocket carrying the NVS-02 satellite. The event took place on 29 January 2025 at 6:23 AM at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. This launch mission constitutes ISRO's 100th launch so far. It is not only a milestone of success over nearly five decades but also promises much to come in terms of developing India's space exploration capabilities.
Milestone Launch
The GSLV-F15 mission is particularly notable as it is the first launch under the leadership of ISRO's new Chairman, V Narayanan, who recently assumed office. This launch is also significant as it is ISRO's maiden venture of the year. The journey to this milestone began with the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV), which lifted off from Sriharikota on August 10, 1979. Since then, ISRO has achieved remarkable advancements in space technology and exploration.
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Technical Overview
GSLV-F15 is the 17th flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle and the 11th flight with an indigenous cryogenic stage. The payload fairing of GSLV-F15 has a metallic version with a diameter of 3.4 meters. This mission will put the NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
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Key Features of GSLV-F15
| Feature | Description |
| Mission Number | 100th Rocket Launch |
| Launch Vehicle | GSLV-F15 |
| Payload | NVS-02 Satellite |
| Launch Site | Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh |
| Diameter of Payload Fairing | 3.4 meters |
| Cryogenic Stage | Indigenous |
Challenges and Achievements
Historically, the GSLV series has been a problematic one, with a 37% failure rate in its previous launches, earning it the sobriquet of "naughty boy" of ISRO. Out of 16 launches, six failed. ISRO's more recent Launch Vehicle Mark-3, however, has achieved a perfect success record. Despite such setbacks, ISRO has shown resilience and innovation by mastering cryogenic engine technology after overcoming initial setbacks related to technology transfer.
The NVS-02 is part of India's Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide precise Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services within India and extend approximately 1500 km beyond its borders. NavIC offers two types of services: Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS), providing high accuracy for various applications.
Looking Ahead
As ISRO celebrates the 100th launch of such a landmark achievement, the agency has set its mind to thinking about what used to be there some time ago. Having overcome so much in terms of developing navigation satellites and rockets, the agency wishes for those to stay behind as is the case for the future with it continuing to march in technology and leaders.
The successful launch of GSLV-F15 is a great milestone for ISRO and a reflection of India's growing capabilities in space technology. With the country continuously innovating and expanding its reach into space, this launch stands as a testament to its commitment to becoming a leader in space exploration and satellite navigation systems.
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