ISRO chief says NavIC satellite NVS-03 is healthy after launch

ISRO's new navigation satellite NVS-03 is fully healthy and in a circular orbit following its launch on October 30. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan shared the update on November 5 in Chennai while inaugurating a Yuri Gagarin statue at the Periyar Science and Technology Centre.

Orbit and Payload Testing

Mr. Narayanan stated that the rocket placed the satellite into an elliptical orbit. Officials then ran the satellite engine for 6,400 seconds to shift it into a circular orbit. The space agency will now conduct extensive in-orbit testing for the satellite payload and other systems. The spacecraft is part of the ongoing effort to strengthen India's indigenous NavIC regional satellite navigation system.

Axiom-4 Mission and Safety

The ISRO chief also highlighted the space agency's role in the Axiom-4 mission this summer. Piloted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the mission marked the return of an Indian to space after 40 years. Mr. Narayanan revealed that Indian scientists helped save the lives of the astronauts by insisting on a launch delay after discovering a serious line crack in a liquid oxygen system, rejecting initial reports of a minor leak.

Infrastructure and International Ties

Work is currently underway on a fourth launch complex in Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu to improve services for citizens. Mr. Narayanan also acknowledged Russia's long-standing support for India's space program, noting that the former USSR assisted India when MTCR restrictions blocked outside help and aided the historic spaceflight of Rakesh Sharma.

Context

NavIC is India's regional satellite navigation system, built to provide accurate position and time information independently of foreign global positioning networks. Space agencies frequently perform in-orbit testing over several weeks following a launch to verify that all instruments and communication payloads function properly in the harsh environment of space.