The 100th spaceflight from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) experienced major technological difficulties after one of its navigation satellites developed technical malfunctions following its Wednesday launch. The malfunction appeared on Sunday while the international space programs expressed doubts regarding the satellite’s operational lifespan.
The planned orbital operations for satellite placement failed to achieve expected results according to an official statement by ISRO. The oxidizer valves which activate thrusters failed to function which stopped the satellite from reaching its designated orbit.
Mission Details and Current Status
The geostationary circular orbit required NVS-02 which U R Rao Satellite Centre created. The improper functioning of the satellite’s liquid engine forced a major postponement of the mission because the platform might never reach its intended orbit position.
ISRO officials stated the satellite retains healthy performance levels even though it orbits in an elliptical path after the failure occurred. ISRO scientists and engineers have initiated studies on potential operational uses of the satellite as the spacecraft maintains an elliptical orbit.
Launch and Significance of the Mission
At 6:23 AM on Wednesday ISRO launched NVS-02 aboard GSLV-F15 from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The mission served as the organization’s hundredth rocket launch because of its iconic status in the history of Indian space exploration.
The launch became significant because it happened under the leadership of ISRO’s new Chairman V Narayanan after his recent appointment. ISRO conducted its inaugural major launch of 2025 as part of an extensive space program that outlined future goals for the agency’s annual activities.
Experts about space worry that the satellite cannot execute its objectives effectively since it currently orbits in a complex egg-shaped pattern extending from 170 kilometers distance toward Earth to 36,577 kilometers distance away from Earth.
The Role of NVS-02 in NavIC Navigation System
NVS-02 represents the second satellite in ISRO’s second-generation Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) series having a mass of 2,250 kg. NavIC operates as India’s homegrown version of GPS to deliver autonomous positional data services between military forces and civilian users.
The NavIC development initiative emerged from India following the experience of challenges during the 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan. During that period India experienced the denial of accurate GPS data from outside entities. The decision of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee initiated the development of NavIC when India needed its specific satellite-based navigation system after the 1999 Kargil war.
The NavIC program has encountered numerous technical issues despite its original purposeful structure. NavIC gained operational status in 2013 and ISRO succeeded in launching twelve satellites through its mission. Multiple spacecraft launched under the NavIC program suffered full breakdowns or partial system failures owing to various technical problems which affected six of the eleven satellite fleet. The recent technical problems experienced by NVS-02 have raised doubts about whether the NavIC program can survive the long term.
What Lies Ahead for ISRO and NavIC?
The Indian Space Research Organisation evaluates multiple solutions to rescue the mission challenge. The satellite possesses functionality for deployment even in its current elliptical orbit but its operational capabilities will be significantly diminished if used this way.
The situation demonstrates how difficult it is for spacecraft operations while showcasing the obstacles that come with operating a standalone satellite navigation system. NavIC’s implementation for military, strategic and civilian applications becomes more critical because ISRO needs to remedy recurrent problems for sustained success.
For now, ISRO scientists are working round the clock to explore recovery options, while the space agency faces yet another test in its ambitious journey toward self-reliance in satellite navigation technology.
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