ISRO, India’s space organisation, is preparing for its important 100th mission. In this mission, a satellite called NVS-02 will be launched into space. The launch will happen at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Preparations started early on Tuesday, January 28, with a countdown beginning at 2:53 AM, about 27.5 hours before the actual launch.
The satellite will be launched using the GSLV-F15 rocket, which is 50.9 meters tall and has a special cryogenic engine made in India. The rocket is scheduled to launch on Wednesday, January 29, at 6:23 AM.
This mission is very important because it is the first one led by ISRO’s new chairman, V. Narayanan, who became chairman earlier this month.
About the NVS-02 satellite
The NVS-02 satellite is the second satellite in the NavIC series (Navigation with Indian Constellation). This series is designed to provide accurate navigation information like location, speed, and time for users in India and areas up to 1,500 km beyond India's borders.
The NavIC system includes five advanced satellites (NVS-01 to NVS-05). These satellites are made to improve navigation services and ensure they keep working smoothly. The NVS-02 satellite is quite large, weighing 2,250 kg, and it comes with advanced equipment that sends signals on different frequency bands (L1, L5, S, and C bands) for better performance.
Applications of NVS-02
The NVS-02 satellite will support:
- Navigation: For vehicles, aeroplanes, and ships.
- Precision agriculture: Assisting in accurate farming techniques.
- Fleet management: monitoring and tracking vehicles.
- Location-based services: Enhancing smartphone navigation.
- Emergency services: offering precise timing for rescue missions.
- IoT and satellite monitoring: Enabling new technology applications and orbit tracking.
This mission is another milestone in ISRO’s efforts to advance India’s space technology and strengthen its navigation systems.