On NVS-03, the Isro chief said that all the vehicle systems performed as predicted, and as expected (Photo: Reuters)
India's independent regional navigation satellite system NavIC was restored to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites on Friday 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 clocks has a wide array of applications including civilian use like real time tracking of trains, vehicles, and shipping vessels.
Further, the NavIC constellation is an important component of the 'one nation, one time' project, Isro chief V Narayanan said after the successful mission launch.
The NVS-03 satellite is all set to complement three other navigational satellites in operation including the NVS-01 and it will strengthen infrastructure for a robust IST with the government recently notifying the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026. The nation's own satellite navigation system 'NaVIC,' is the Indian version of GPS, albeit confined to the country and 1,500 km beyond.