Launch of NVS-03: PM Modi congratulates scientists, engineers at ISRO

New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (October 31, 2026) congratulated scientists and engineers at ISRO on the successful launch of GSLV-F18 carrying NVS-03 and said the mission marks an important step in strengthening NavIC, the country's indigenous satellite navigation system. GSLV places next-generation navigation satellite NVS-03 into orbit storyline 1 Why is ISRO’s NVS-03 satellite launch crucial?

| Explained Why is ISRO’s NVS-03 satellite launch crucial? | Explained The mission could help restore the functioning of India’s regional satellite navigation system NavIC; its development began following the 1999 Kargil War, when the U.S reportedly clamped down on GPS data access Why is ISRO’s NVS-03 satellite launch crucial? | Explained storyline 1 Mr. Modi also said that equipped with enhanced capabilities, NVS-03 will further India's pursuit of self-reliance in critical technologies and support navigation services that benefit the people.

"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," he said in a post on X. The Prime Minister said the dedication and ingenuity of India's space scientists continue to make the nation proud. To overcome technical hurdles, ISRO flew NVS-03 satellite with pyro valves open: Narayanan To overcome technical hurdles, ISRO flew NVS-03 satellite with pyro valves open: Narayanan Pyro valves are crucial in spacecraft propulsion, and it may be recalled that the NVS-02 (launched in 2025), the second spacecraft in the NVS series, was a failure To overcome technical hurdles, ISRO flew NVS-03 satellite with pyro valves open: Narayanan storyline 1 India's independent regional navigation satellite system NavIC was restored to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites on Friday (October 30, 2026) as ISRO successfully launched its navigation satellite NVS-03, which was placed into the designated injection orbit by a GSLV rocket.

The second-generation navigation satellite NVS-03, with indigenous and procured atomic clock, has a wide array of applications, including civilian use like real-time tracking of trains, vehicles and shipping vessels.