India’s first space mission of 2025 encountered a major setback after its navigation satellite NVS-02 failed to reach geostationary orbit due to a propulsion issue.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 7:53 p.m. EST on Jan. 28 (0053 GMT / 6:23 a.m. local time on Jan. 29). The mission marked the 100th launch from the historic Sriharikota spaceport.
Propulsion Failure Strands NVS-02 in Transfer Orbit
NVS-02 was intended to take a position in geostationary orbit at 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth. The standard procedure for such a maneuver involves:
1️⃣ Launch into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
2️⃣ Upper-stage ignition to push the satellite into an elliptical geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
3️⃣ Engine firing at apogee to raise the perigee (closest point to Earth) and circularize the orbit at geostationary altitude.
However, a valve issue in the satellite’s propulsion system prevented its engines from firing, leaving it stranded in transfer orbit.
ISRO Explores Alternative Solutions
Despite the propulsion failure, ISRO confirmed that NVS-02 remains healthy in its elliptical orbit and is actively assessing alternative mission strategies. One potential solution is to use the satellite’s attitude control thrusters—smaller engines typically used for orientation adjustments—to gradually raise its perigee and prevent it from falling back into Earth’s atmosphere.
“The satellite systems are healthy, and the satellite is currently in elliptical orbit,” ISRO stated. “Alternate mission strategies for utilizing the satellite for navigation in an elliptical orbit are being worked out.”
The Importance of NVS-02 and India’s NavIC System
NVS-02 is the second of five planned next-generation satellites for NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), India’s regional navigation system designed to provide positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services for India and its surrounding regions.
🔹 NavIC serves as India’s equivalent to global systems like the US GPS, Russia’s GLONASS, and Europe’s Galileo.
🔹 The upgraded NVS satellites feature L1 frequency support, enhancing navigation for civilian and commercial users.
🔹 A successful deployment would have improved India’s strategic and technological self-reliance in satellite navigation.
Setback for ISRO, but Recovery Efforts Underway
This failure comes at a crucial time for ISRO, which has ambitious lunar, planetary, and commercial spaceflight goals for 2025. While setbacks are part of space exploration, ISRO’s swift response and efforts to salvage the mission highlight its resilience.
The agency will now determine whether NVS-02 can still serve its intended function from an elliptical orbit or if modifications are needed for future NavIC satellites.
Despite this challenge, India’s space program continues to expand, with upcoming missions focusing on deep-space exploration, satellite technology, and human spaceflight under the Gaganyaan program. 🚀
