ISRO schedules NVS-03 satellite launch for October 30

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has scheduled the GSLV-F18/NVS-03 mission for October 30, 2026, at 11:51 pm IST. The launch will take place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The mission involves launching the NVS-03, a second-generation navigation satellite intended to revitalize India’s indigenous Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. NavIC, formerly known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), provides positioning, navigation, and timing services across India and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders.

This launch is critical for restoring NavIC services following technical setbacks with previous satellites. NVS-03 is the third in a planned series of five second-generation spacecraft. However, the impending intensification of Cyclone Arnab, forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh Yanam coast, may pose challenges to pre-launch preparations. ISRO will assess weather conditions closer to the launch date to determine the impact on the schedule.