PM Modi Hails NVS-03 Launch As Major Step For India’s NavIC Navigation System

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists and engineers on the successful launch of the GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the NVS-03 navigation satellite, calling it an important step towards strengthening India’s indigenous navigation system, NavIC.

In a post on X, PM Modi praised the ISRO team for the successful mission and highlighted the satellite’s enhanced capabilities. He further said NVS-03 would strengthen NavIC, support navigation services for citizens and advance India’s pursuit of self-reliance in critical technologies.

PM Modi lauded the dedication and ingenuity of the country’s space scientists, saying their achievements continued to make India proud.

Congratulations to our scientists and engineers at ISRO on the successful launch of GSLV-F18 carrying NVS-03.

This mission marks an important step in strengthening NavIC, our indigenous satellite navigation system. Equipped with enhanced capabilities, NVS-03 will further our pursuit of self-reliance in critical technologies and support navigation services that benefit our people.

The dedication and ingenuity of our space scientists continue to make our nation proud.

@isro

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2026

ISRO launched NVS-03 aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F18) at 11:51 PM on Friday from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The 50-metre-tall, three-stage rocket carried the 2,232-kg satellite into space, with the mission aiming to place it in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit before it reaches its designated geosynchronous slot at 32.5 degrees East.

NVS-03 is the third satellite in ISRO’s second-generation navigation satellite series. It, however, carries an indigenous atomic clock and introduces the L1 navigation signal alongside the existing L5 and S signals, enhancing NavIC’s capabilities.

NavIC provides Position, Velocity and Timing services across India and an area extending approximately 1,500 km beyond the country’s borders.

ISRO plans to launch five second-generation navigation satellites to strengthen the constellation, improve service continuity and expand its capabilities.

The mission is expected to reinforce India’s independent navigation infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign satellite systems.

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