India’s NVS-03 navigation satellite has completed its first orbit-raising manoeuvre following its October 30 launch from Sriharikota. ISRO’s October 31 mission update reported normal satellite health after the operation, which finished at 4:48 pm IST.
The satellite’s Liquid Apogee Motor fired for 2,174.8 seconds, or a little over 36 minutes. ISRO estimated the resulting orbit at 5,477.6 km by 37,833.4 km. Further manoeuvres were planned to take the spacecraft to its assigned geosynchronous orbital slot at 111.75 degrees East.
NVS-03 is the third satellite in the next-generation NavIC navigation series. It carries an Indian-developed atomic clock alongside procured clocks, and transmits in the L1, L5 and S frequency bands. The regional system is designed to serve India and an area extending about 1,500 km beyond its boundary.
The GSLV-F18 launch vehicle had placed the spacecraft into a transfer orbit at 11:51 pm IST on October 30. Successful launch and initial orbit-raising are separate steps from reaching the final operating position; the latest official material reviewed still described additional manoeuvres as planned.
GSLV-F18 on the launch pad before the NVS-03 mission. Photo: Department of Space / ISRO. Photo credit: Department of Space / ISRO. ISRO website reproduction permission, attribution required.
