In brief
India’s ISRO reached a new milestone by launching the NVS‑03 navigation satellite, the third of its next‑generation series, aboard the GSLV‑F18 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The flight, which took place at 11:51 p.m. local time, was part of ISRO’s Navigation with Indian Constellation network and marked the 20th GSLV‑F18 mission. ISRO and the nation’s Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh praised the achievement, highlighting India’s growing space capabilities and commitment to a sovereign navigation system.
On October 31, 2026, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the NVS‑03 navigation satellite aboard the GSLV‑F18 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, advancing India’s autonomous GPS program.
At 11:51 p.m. local time on Friday, the rocket carried the satellite into its intended orbit, becoming the third spacecraft in a next‑generation series for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system.
ISRO announced the successful placement on X, tweeting: "GSLV‑F18 has successfully placed NVS‑03 in the intended orbit. Congratulations."
The new satellite aims to enhance continuity of navigation services across the Indian region and bolster the country’s sovereign capabilities.
This launch marked GSLV‑F18’s 20th mission since its debut, underscoring the growing reliability of India’s launch vehicle fleet.
The science and technology minister, Jitendra Singh, posted on X: "This achievement reflects India’s growing prowess in space technology and its unwavering commitment to strengthening sovereign indigenous navigation capabilities."
The NVS‑03 launch represents a key step toward a nationwide navigation network comparable to global systems, reinforcing India’s position in space technology and navigation independence.
