ISRO prepares NVS-03 satellite launch to restore NavIC navigation

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch the NVS-03 navigation satellite, with a target launch window reported between October 15 and 20, 2026. The mission is expected to utilize a GSLV-Mk2 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The launch is critical for India’s regional satellite navigation system, NavIC. Currently, the constellation is limited to three functional satellites providing positioning, navigation, and timing services. Because a minimum of four satellites is required to calculate a three-dimensional position when receiver clock error is unknown, NavIC is currently unable to provide standalone positioning.

The NVS-03 mission aims to restore this capability by bringing the constellation back to four operational satellites. This follows the failure of NVS-02 in January 2025, which failed to reach its intended orbit due to a propulsion system issue.