GSLV-F18 Launch Countdown Begins Tonight
The 24-hour countdown would begin at 11.51pm Thursday, ahead of the planned lift-off at 11.51pm Friday from the Second Launch Pad.
Nellore: The Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota is gearing up for a crucial space mission, with ISRO preparing to launch its GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the next-generation navigation satellite NVS-03 on October 30.
The 24-hour countdown would begin at 11.51pm Thursday, ahead of the planned lift-off at 11.51pm Friday from the Second Launch Pad. The rocket would place the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, from where it would be manoeuvred towards its operational orbit.
The transition of the NavIC system to the second generation NVS satellites fixes the roadblocks that so far prevented Indian mobile phone GPS users and promises more accuracy in navigation of routes through both rough terrain and cities.
ISRO chairman V Narayanan arrived at SHAR on Wednesday to oversee the launch preparations. Senior scientists and officials from various ISRO centres have assembled at Sriharikota, adding to the activity at the spaceport ahead of the mission.
A mission readiness review meeting was held on Wednesday under the leadership of Muthuchezhian, director of the space centre in Sriharikota, with senior scientists examining the mission's preparedness and launch arrangements before the countdown.
The mission is aimed at strengthening Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), India's independent regional satellite navigation system. Designed to provide accurate Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services, NavIC covers India and a region extending approximately 1,500km beyond the Indian mainland.
NVS-03 is the third satellite in ISRO's next-generation navigation satellite series, intended to ensure continuity and enhance the reliability of services provided by the Indian regional navigation satellite system, now known as NavIC.
A key feature of the satellite is its clock system, which includes an indigenous atomic clock alongside procured atomic clocks. Accurate timekeeping is essential for reliable satellite-based positioning and navigation.
The satellite will also support the L1 navigation signal in addition to the existing L5 and S-band signals. The L1 frequency, operating at 1575.42 MHz, is widely used by GPS and other global navigation satellite systems. Its inclusion is expected to expand NavIC's suitability for civilian and commercial applications, including navigation devices and location-based services.
The launch is expected to mark the 20th GSLV mission from Sriharikota.
With NVS-03, ISRO aims to strengthen the continuity, accuracy and reach of India's indigenous navigation infrastructure, supporting civilian, commercial and strategic requirements while reinforcing the country's technological self-reliance.
As the countdown approaches, scientists and engineers are completing the final checks on the launch vehicle, satellite systems and ground infrastructure in preparation for the scheduled lift-off.