Now Reading: NVS-03 Ready as India Plans Four NavIC Satellites
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NVS-03 Ready as India Plans Four NavIC Satellites
India plans to launch four satellites to rebuild its NavIC navigation network, Space Minister Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha. NVS-03 is ready after corrective measures were adopted following the NVS-02 launch…
The Story in Brief
India plans to launch four satellites to rebuild its NavIC navigation network, Space Minister Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha. NVS-03 is ready after corrective measures were adopted following the NVS-02 launch anomaly in 2025. NVS-04 and NVS-05 are expected to follow, with another satellite planned to complete the seven-satellite base constellation. The government has not announced launch dates.
Only three satellites currently provide navigation services, and NavIC needs at least four working atomic clocks for standalone positioning. That capability ended after the last clock on IRNSS-1F failed in March. The Federal reports that NVS-03 and GISAT-1A are awaiting launch at Sriharikota, while a parliamentary committee expects NVS-03, NVS-04 and NVS-05 over 15 to 18 months.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that NavIC is completely paralysed overstate the immediate position, while suggestions of a quick restoration ignore the missing launch schedule and ageing satellites. The government has shown a technical response after NVS-02, but readiness on the ground is not service in orbit. The real test is whether four satellites with functioning atomic clocks are deployed within the committee’s 15 to 18-month estimate.
Sources (2): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, thefederal.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
