1 / 8The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a historic milestone by successfully launching its 100th mission from the Sriharikota spaceport. The GSLV-F15 rocket, carrying the NVS-02 satellite, launched at 6:23 am on January 29, 2025, from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. (Image: PTI)
2 / 8The space agency took to X to share spectacular visuals from the GSLV-F15/NVS-02 launch. “Relive the moment! Here are stunning visuals from the GSLV-F15/NVS-02 launch. A proud milestone for India’s space journey! ,” it captioned the post. (Image: ISRO/X)
3 / 8This launch marks the 17th flight of the GSLV-F15, India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle and the 11th mission using India’s Indigenous Cryo stage. According to ISRO, the GSLV-F15 will put the NVS-02 satellite in a geosynchronous transfer orbit. (Image: PTI)
4 / 8The NVS-02 satellite is part of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC, aiming to provide accurate Position, Velocity and Timing (PVT) services in the country as well as areas extending up to 1,500 km beyond Indian landmass. Designed and developed by the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, the NVS-02 weighs about 2,250 kilograms. (Image: PTI)
5 / 8The 100th launch was also ISRO’s first in 2025 and the first under Chairman V Narayanan, who took over on January 16. (Image: PTI)
6 / 8Calling it a ‘centennial mission’, Mission Director Thomas Kurian said, “If you look at GSLV, its total number of missions was only 17, but later on, it became the candidate for the 100th mission of ISRO. Since it is a centennial mission, a lot of pressure will be there, but perfectionism is in whatever we have incorporated into the vehicle…The attained orbit is very very precise. Only 0.2% of error chances are there for the 37,000 km orbit.” (Image: ISRO/X)
7 / 8Following the launch, India now has five out of the seven satellites in space. Earlier, the Director of Space Applications Centre (SAC)/ISRO Nilesh Desai said, “This is the 5th in the series of operational NavIC satellites. NavIC satellite is our earlier named IRNSS satellite configuration which is called the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, it is a part of this satellite constellation where we will put seven satellites.” (Image: PTI)
8 / 8On the mission’s success, ISRO said, “The GSLV-F15/NVS-02 mission has been successfully accomplished. India reaches new heights in space navigation!” (Image: PTI)
