ISRO's NVS-02 Satellite Faces Orbit-Raising Challenge
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is addressing a significant technical issue with its NVS-02 navigation satellite, launched on January 29, 2025, aboard the GSLV-F15 rocket. Post-launch, the satellite’s solar panels deployed successfully, and communication with ground control was established. However, a malfunctioning valve has prevented the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) from firing, hindering the satellite’s orbit-raising maneuvers. Consequently, NVS-02 remains in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) instead of reaching its designated geostationary orbit.
The primary issue stems from valves that failed to open, preventing the oxidizer from reaching the thrusters necessary for orbit-raising operations. Despite the satellite’s systems functioning nominally and maintaining communication with ground stations, this malfunction has stalled its progression to the intended orbit.
ISRO has convened a dedicated committee to explore potential recovery strategies. Efforts to rectify the valve malfunction have been ongoing since the issue was identified post-launch. While the satellite remains operational, the inability to perform orbit-raising maneuvers poses a significant challenge.
NVS-02 is part of India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services. The current setback with NVS-02 may impact the planned augmentation of the NavIC constellation, which aims to enhance navigation services across India and its surrounding regions.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in news? | ISRO’s NVS-02 satellite, launched on January 29, 2025, aboard GSLV-F15, faced an orbit-raising failure due to a valve malfunction in the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM). The satellite is stuck in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) instead of reaching geostationary orbit. ISRO is working on recovery strategies. |
| Launch Date | January 29, 2025 |
| Launch Vehicle | GSLV-F15 |
| Satellite Name | NVS-02 |
| Issue Faced | Orbit-raising failure due to a valve malfunction in LAM |
| Current Orbit | Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) |
| Intended Orbit | Geostationary Orbit |
| Purpose | Part of NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) to enhance India’s navigation system |
| ISRO Chairman | Dr. V. Narayanan, |
| NavIC System | India’s regional navigation satellite system providing Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services |
| Last Successful ISRO Mission | GSLV-F15/NVS-02 mission |
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on July 26 to honor the brave soldiers…
There are over 195 countries in the world, and many of them have names that…
In many countries around the world, the number of women is either equal to or…
Shashi Tharoor is a well-known Indian politician, writer, public speaker and former diplomat. Born on…
The Skill India Mission, launched on 15th July 2015, marked a pivotal step toward equipping…
NASA has launched the TRACERS mission (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) to better…
