ISRO’s Resilience and New Future Prospects
Orbit-Raising Operations Stall Due to Satellite Glitch
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) celebrated a historic achievement on January 29, 2025, with the successful launch of the NVS-02 navigation satellite aboard the GSLV-F15 rocket, marking the 100th mission in the agency’s space exploration journey. The satellite, designed to support India’s navigation system, was expected to reach its designated geostationary orbit through a series of orbit-raising maneuvers. However, following the successful deployment, a technical issue arose, preventing the satellite from carrying out these crucial maneuvers.
The failure occurred when the valves responsible for admitting the oxidizer to the thrusters failed to open, preventing the necessary propulsion system from firing. This left the NVS-02 satellite unable to position itself in the correct orbit.
ISRO Reports Successful Power and Communication Systems on NVS-02
Despite the orbit-raising setback, ISRO has assured the public that the satellite’s core systems remain operational. The satellite’s solar panels successfully deployed, providing it with the necessary power to function, and communication with ground control was re-established shortly after launch. While the satellite is not in its final geostationary orbit, its health and functionality remain intact.
The primary mission of the satellite—to enhance navigation and location-based services across India—can still be partially fulfilled, despite the elliptical orbit. ISRO has emphasized that the satellite’s communication and power systems continue to operate at nominal levels, and the issue with the propulsion system is being addressed.
Alternate Strategies in Progress to Utilize Satellite in Elliptical Orbit
ISRO engineers are working on alternative strategies to use the NVS-02 satellite effectively while it remains in an elliptical orbit. Although this is not the ideal position for its navigation services, the satellite can still offer partial assistance in positioning systems across India.
ISRO’s technical team is actively exploring ways to optimize the satellite’s performance and troubleshoot the propulsion system issue. With a proven track record of overcoming challenges, ISRO remains optimistic about finding a solution and ensuring the satellite can contribute to the nation’s navigation infrastructure in the near future.
ISRO’s Resilience in Space Exploration
The technical glitch faced by NVS-02 highlights the inherent challenges of space exploration. However, ISRO’s history of resilience and adaptability in the face of setbacks is well-documented. The agency has overcome numerous hurdles in past missions and continues to push the boundaries of space exploration with a focus on innovation.
Despite the current glitch, ISRO’s commitment to excellence remains strong, and the satellite will continue to support India’s growing space ambitions. The technical issue is being resolved, and engineers are confident that NVS-02 will be able to carry out its mission once it is fully operational.
