ISRO Flew NVS-03 Satellite With Pyro Valves Open to Overcome Technical Challenges: Narayanan

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 31: ISRO Chairman V Narayanan on Saturday revealed that the space agency adopted a modified propulsion configuration, flying the NVS-03 navigation satellite with three pyro valves already open to overcome technical challenges encountered during an earlier mission and ensure the success of the latest launch.

Speaking at a post-launch press conference, Narayanan said the decision followed extensive technical assessments and was cleared after rigorous vibration and shock tests conducted under a national-level committee headed by former ISRO chairman Kiran Kumar.

The decision assumes significance in the wake of the failure of NVS-02, the second satellite in India’s next-generation navigation satellite series, launched in 2025.

A high-level investigation into the setback found that the drive signal had failed to reach the pyro valve in the oxidiser line of the engine responsible for raising the satellite’s orbit.

In February 2026, ISRO disclosed that the most likely reason was the disengagement of at least one contact in both the primary and redundant connector pathways.

Addressing the issue, the space agency adopted the revised configuration for NVS-03 after validating its safety and operational reliability through extensive testing.

The 2,240-kg satellite was successfully placed into orbit early Saturday using the GSLV-F18 launch vehicle, marking another important step in strengthening India’s indigenous navigation capabilities.

Narayanan also praised the precision achieved during the launch, saying the actual orbital parameters were very close to the planned figures.

The satellite achieved a perigee of 170.31 km against the targeted 170.36 km, while its apogee reached 38,080 km compared with the planned 37,247 km.

Describing the performance as exceptional, the ISRO chief said the accuracy demonstrated by the launch vehicle was among the best achieved globally.

The successful deployment has brought India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system back to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites, strengthening the availability of navigation and positioning services across the country and surrounding regions.

Narayanan said the agency intends to further expand the constellation, with NVS-04 scheduled for launch within five months and NVS-05 expected to follow within 10 months.

The additional satellites are expected to improve the reliability and continuity of services provided by the indigenous navigation system.

Highlighting NavIC’s growing civilian applications, the ISRO chairman said approximately 10,400 locomotives and 64,000 fishing vessels were currently being monitored in real time through the system.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the agency aims to extend tracking coverage to one lakh fishing vessels over the next six months.

He added that around 15 lakh tracking devices had already been installed across vehicles, reflecting the expanding use of satellite-based navigation in transportation and public services.

On the availability of NavIC services on ordinary civilian smartphones, Narayanan said wider adoption would become possible once the complete seven-satellite constellation was operational.

The latest launch also comes amid an intensive schedule of space activities planned by ISRO for the current financial year.

According to Narayanan, the agency is targeting five additional launches, including the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, designated G1, along with small satellite missions.

The G1 mission will represent a significant milestone in India’s human spaceflight programme, as ISRO prepares for the eventual launch of astronauts into space.

With the successful NVS-03 deployment, the agency has addressed a major technical challenge associated with its navigation satellite programme while advancing preparations for upcoming launches and broader space exploration objectives.