Technical Issue Halts Orbit-Raising Maneuvers of NVS-02 Satellite
ISRO’s landmark 100th successful launch, which saw the NVS-02 satellite deployed aboard the GSLV-F15 rocket on January 29, 2025, marked a significant milestone in India’s space journey. The launch was expected to strengthen India’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and provide enhanced positioning and navigation services. However, shortly after the satellite’s deployment, ISRO faced an unexpected challenge when the satellite’s orbit-raising maneuvers were stalled due to a technical glitch.
The NVS-02 satellite was designed to orbit in a geostationary orbit to serve critical navigation functions, but the failure of the satellite’s propulsion system has delayed this step. While the satellite remains healthy, the malfunction has prevented the opening of the oxidizer valves necessary to fire the thrusters for orbit-raising operations.
ISRO Reassures Public as Communication with Satellite Remains Active
Despite the setback, ISRO has confirmed that communication with the NVS-02 satellite is intact, and the solar panels onboard the satellite have been successfully deployed, ensuring that power generation is operating at nominal levels. The satellite’s systems remain fully functional, and the space agency has established reliable communication with the satellite through ground control.
The issue lies specifically with the propulsion system, where the valves responsible for feeding the oxidizer to fire the thrusters did not open as expected. This failure has led to the stalling of the satellite’s planned orbit-raising maneuvers. While this issue is a significant challenge, ISRO has assured the public that the satellite remains operational, and the engineers are working to address the malfunction.
Alternate Strategies in Place for NVS-02 Satellite Operations in Elliptical Orbit
Although the satellite’s orbit-raising maneuvers have been delayed, ISRO has outlined that the NVS-02 satellite can still be utilized in its current elliptical orbit. While this orbit is not ideal for the satellite’s mission, it remains functional and capable of supporting certain aspects of India’s navigation system.
ISRO has already begun working on alternate strategies to optimize the satellite’s use in the elliptical orbit. The space agency is exploring new operational modes to ensure that the satellite can continue contributing to India’s GNSS operations even if it does not reach its intended geostationary orbit. The engineers are also troubleshooting the malfunctioning propulsion system, hoping to eventually resolve the issue and raise the satellite’s orbit to the designated position.
In the meantime, ISRO is confident that the mission will not be derailed and that the satellite will eventually fulfill its role in India’s navigation infrastructure. The space agency continues to monitor the situation closely and work toward resolving the glitch as quickly as possible.
ISRO’s Commitment to Overcoming Challenges
Despite the technical challenge, ISRO’s response has been swift and transparent, reinforcing the agency’s reputation for resilience in the face of difficulties. The success of the NVS-02 launch, even with the temporary glitch, underscores the progress India has made in space technology. ISRO has continually demonstrated its ability to innovate and adapt, and this incident is no exception.
The agency remains committed to resolving the issue and ensuring the long-term success of the NVS-02 satellite. The mission is just one of many ongoing efforts by ISRO to strengthen India’s space capabilities, including upcoming satellite launches and advanced missions to further India’s space exploration goals.
Looking Ahead: ISRO’s Space Milestones
While the NVS-02 satellite’s orbit-raising issues are being addressed, ISRO’s broader space ambitions remain on track. The successful 100th launch of the GSLV-F15 rocket is a testament to the agency’s growing expertise and capabilities in space exploration. With future missions planned, including additional satellites and deep-space missions, ISRO’s achievements in space continue to make significant strides.
In conclusion, ISRO’s 100th launch, while marked by a temporary technical setback with the NVS-02 satellite, showcases the agency’s ability to overcome challenges and adapt. With alternate strategies in place and engineers working diligently on a solution, the mission remains on course to contribute significantly to India’s space infrastructure.