The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone by successfully deploying NVS-01, the first satellite of the second-generation NavIC constellation. This achievement comes after the setback faced with the GSLV-F10 mission in August 2021.

The NVS series of satellites aims to enhance and expand the capabilities of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. This new series incorporates L1 band signals, offering a broader range of services. Notably, NVS-01 carries an indigenous atomic clock, marking a significant technological advancement.

The launch took place on Monday, May 29, 2023, at 10:42 AM local time. NVS-01, weighing approximately 2232 kg, carries state-of-the-art Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) payloads operating in L1, L5, and S bands.

NVS-01 is expected to have a mission life of over 12 years. Compared to the first-generation NavIC satellites, the second-generation series features the inclusion of the L1 Navigation band and the use of an indigenously developed Rubidium atomic clock. Currently, there are eight first-generation NavIC satellites already in orbit.

The L1 navigation band plays a crucial role in providing PNT services for civilian users and facilitating interoperability with other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The space-qualified Rubidium atomic clock, developed by the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad, showcases India’s technological prowess in this field, with only a few countries possessing similar capabilities.

ISRO has ambitious plans for the deployment of five more second-generation NVS satellites, further strengthening India’s indigenous navigation capabilities.