NVS-04

NVS-04
NVS series spacecraft
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorISRO
Mission durationPlanned: 12 years
Elapsed:
Spacecraft properties
BusI-2K
ManufacturerU. R. Rao Satellite Centre
Space Applications Centre
Launch mass2,250 kilograms (4,960 lb)
Start of mission
Launch dateNot recognized as a date. Years must have 4 digits (use leading zeros for years < 1000). UTC
RocketGSLV-F19
Launch siteSatish Dhawan SLP
ContractorISRO
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeosynchronous
Longitude111.75° East
← NVS-03
NVS-05 →

NVS-04 is the fourth in the series of second generation navigation satellite (NVS) and the thirteenth satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), with an alternate name of IRNSS-1M.

Payload

The second generation of NavIC satellites have two types of payloads, navigation payload and the ranging payload. The navigation payload transmits navigation service signals to the users. This payload is operating in L1 band, L5 band and S band. A highly stable Rubidium atomic clock is part of the navigation payload of the satellite. Failure of the imported Rubidium atomic clocks across the fleet of previous generation of satellite led to the creation of an indigenous option which was developed by the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad.

The ranging payload consists of transponder which is operated in CDMA mode for two-way range measurements. The IRNSS satellites continuously emits time stamped navigation signals, which are received by the ground-based user receivers. The information is then processed by the receivers to derive their own position, velocity and time. The system provides seamless, uninterrupted services under all weather conditions.

The new generation of navigation satellite features a new and improved encryption system for bolstering the communication of the satellite specially for the restricted users.

Satellite

The satellite, weighing 2,250 kg (4,960 lb), will help in maintaining the continuity that was lagging due to the failure of Rubidium atomic clocks in previous satellites whilst bolstering the feature set with new bands and longer life. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System space segment consists of seven satellites. With the new series of satellites, ISRO aims to tap into the low power satellite navigation segment like smartwatches and fitness trackers whilst cementing its navigation system by allowing it to seamlessly integrate and interoperate with the existing navigation system. The inclusion of the civilian L1 band will further bolsters Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System position in the mass market.

Launch

During March 2026, ISRO announced its plans to launch satellites from NVS-03 to NVS-05 by September 2027 with intervals of six months.

On 5 November 2026, ISRO conducted the flight acceptance trial for the cryogenic engine of its GSLV rocket at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri. The successful trial spanned 200 seconds and the ignition of both the Main Engine (ME) and the Gas Generator (GG) occurred as expected. On 10 November, ISRO announced that the engine had been selected for the GSLV F19 mission which will launch the NVS-04 satellite.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "GSLV places next-generation navigation satellite NVS-03 into orbit". The Hindu. 31 October 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 October 2026.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "India's navigation system gets a boost after ISRO successfully launches NVS-01 satellite". Hindustan Times. 29 May 2023.
  4. ↑ "From NavIC 1.0 to 2.0, ISRO needs to learn from mistakes". Financial Express. 23 May 2023.
  5. ↑ Chaitanya, SV Krishna (30 May 2023). "India's NavIC may replace GPS". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023.
  6. ↑ Madanapalle, Aditya (30 March 2026). "ISRO encouraged to use indigenous atomic clocks for navigation satellites". News9live. Retrieved 11 November 2026.
  7. ↑ Pillai, Soumya (14 August 2026). "Exclusive: ISRO is ready to launch its navigation satellite NVS-03 in September". ThePrint. Retrieved 11 November 2026.
  8. ↑ "ISRO conducts flight acceptance test of Cryogenic engine for next GSLV mission" (Press release). ISRO. 10 November 2026. Retrieved 11 November 2026.
  9. ↑ "Isro successfully test fires GSLV rocket engine ahead of NVS-04 launch". India Today. 11 November 2026. Retrieved 11 November 2026.