Technology · India Bureau
ISRO poised for NVS-03 navigation satellite launch via GSLV-F18
India's space agency is set to deploy its third navigation satellite on Friday evening as the Indian space programme continues to expand its indigenous positioning capabilities. The GSLV-F18 rocket will carry the NVS-03 spacecraft to orbit from the country's primary spaceport.
LSN India ·
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the launch of NVS-03, the third satellite in its NavIC constellation, scheduled for 11:51 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F18) will lift off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The NVS-03 mission forms part of ISRO's broader strategy to strengthen India's autonomous navigation and positioning infrastructure. The NavIC system, which stands for Navigation with Indian Constellation, aims to provide accurate positioning services across the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions, independent of foreign satellite systems.
With this launch, ISRO will bolster the operational resilience of its regional navigation network. The GSLV-F18 has been configured specifically to deliver NVS-03 to its designated geosynchronous orbit, where it will join the existing constellation of navigation satellites operated by the space agency.
The mission underscores India's commitment to developing indigenous space infrastructure and reducing reliance on international positioning systems. Successful deployment of NVS-03 would represent another significant milestone in the country's expanding capabilities in satellite navigation technology.