India’s space ambitions soared to new heights as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its 100th rocket mission, marking a historic milestone in the country’s space journey. The early morning launch from Sriharikota saw the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle F-15 (GSLV-F15) inject the navigation satellite NVS-02 into the intended orbit with pinpoint precision.
This mission was not only ISRO’s first launch of the year but also the first under the leadership of its new chairman, V. Narayanan. To commemorate the achievement, ISRO shared a breathtaking onboard video of the launch, offering a unique perspective of the rocket’s ascent into space.
“A view like no other! India’s space programme continues to inspire,” ISRO posted on X, celebrating the landmark event.
GSLV-F15, once dubbed ISRO’s ‘naughty boy’ due to its history of technical challenges, has had a turbulent journey. Out of 16 launches before this mission, six ended in failure, giving it a high failure rate of 37%. In contrast, India’s newer Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3), also known as the ‘Bahubali’ rocket, boasts a flawless success rate.
Despite its setbacks, the GSLV family of rockets played a critical role in India’s technological advancement, especially in mastering cryogenic engine technology. This feat took the country two decades to achieve after Russia, under US pressure, denied India access to cryogenic technology in the 1990s. Today, the indigenous cryogenic stage is a testament to ISRO’s perseverance and ingenuity.
The GSLV-F15 mission marked the seventeenth flight of the GSLV and the eleventh with an indigenous cryogenic stage. It was the eighth operational flight using this advanced technology and the 100th launch from the Sriharikota spaceport.
One of the notable upgrades in this mission was the metallic payload fairing, with a diameter of 3.4 meters, enhancing the rocket’s capability to carry and protect sensitive payloads.
The NVS-02 satellite is a crucial component of India’s homegrown NavIC navigation system, which provides precise positioning services across the Indian subcontinent and beyond. This system is India’s answer to the American GPS, ensuring strategic autonomy in navigation services for defense, disaster management, and civilian applications.
As ISRO continues its journey into deeper space exploration, this milestone reaffirms India’s position as a global space power, inspiring future missions that push the boundaries of science and technology.
