GSLV-F18

GSLV - F18
GSLV Mk2 launch
Launch30 July 2025 (2025-07-30) 11:50, IST
PadSecond Launch Pad Satish Dhawan Space Centre
PayloadIndia NVS-03
OutcomeSuccess
Components
Serial no.F-18
Boosters4x L40
First stageS139H
Second stageGL40
Third stageCUS-15
GSLV launches

The GSLV F-18 was the 20th flight of the GSLV and the 14th flight of Mk2 variant using indigenous Cryogenic Engine (CE).

Mission Overview

Pre-launch

ISRO began the countdown for the spacecraft launch on 29th October. The mission is expected to place the satellite into a Geostationary Transfer Orbit at the end of a twenty minute flight. During the pre-flight Mission Readiness Review, ISRO decided to fly the NVS-03 satellite with its pyrotechnic valves already open. This was a major departure from standard safety protocols, necessitated by the fact that the fixes from the failures on NVS-02 was not implemented during the construction of NVS-03, but only from the subsequent satellites. Hyderabad based Ananth Technologies supplied 46 sub-components for the GSLV rocket, supporting a new data-relay package that has been integrated on the rocket.

Launch

Mission Statistics

This launch vehicle is an 3-stage launch vehicle. The first stage of GSLV was derived from the PSLV's PS1. The 138 tonne solid rocket motor is augmented by 4 liquid strap-ons which is powered by a Vikas rocket engine.

Payload

The Flight carried the NVS-03 satellite as a payload. NVS-03 is a Second generation navigation satellite, launched as a replacement for NVS-02 that though was launched successfully on GSLV F15, faced an on-board propulsion failure that rendered it inoperable. This payload is operating in L1 band, L5 band and S band. The satellite uses a highly stable indigenous Rubidium atomic clock, developed by Space Applications Center in Ahmedabad to replace the imported clocks used on the earlier satellites.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Bagla, Pallava (30 October 2026). "ISRO's 'Smart Boy' Rocket To Launch Key 'Swadeshi' GPS Satellite Today. Why It Matters". NDTV. Retrieved 31 October 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ↑ Science Desk, India Today (30 October 2026). "Isro preps for GSLV-F18 NVS-03 launch tonight, but real test begins after liftoff". India Today. Retrieved 31 October 2026.
  3. ↑ PTI (30 October 2026). "Countdown progressing for ISRO's crucial GSLV-F18 launch carrying navigation satellite NVS-03". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 October 2026.
  4. ↑ "City firm Ananth plays key role in ISRO's navigation satellite launch". The Times of India. 31 October 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 October 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "Indian Space Research Organisation". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/image/index/GSLVF18_NVS03/GSLV_F18_NVS03_Mission_Brouchure_27102026.pdf
  7. ↑ Das, Mehul Reuben (23 May 2023). "India joins an elite club, one of 5 countries to use Rubidium Atomic Clock in their GPS satellite". Firstpost.