ISRO places NVS-03 in transfer orbit for NavIC expansion

The Indian Space Research Organisation placed navigation satellite NVS-03 into geosynchronous transfer orbit on October 30, advancing efforts to expand the NavIC system, the agency said. The satellite travelled aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket, which lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. ISRO said the spacecraft separated successfully and reached its intended transfer orbit. The launch was the 20th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle and NVS-03’s first step toward its final orbital position. NVS-03 carries an indigenous atomic clock alongside procured clocks and adds the L1 navigation signal to NavIC’s existing L5 and S-band signals, according to ISRO. The L1 signal is commonly used by consumer navigation receivers. The added signal is intended to broaden compatibility, though it does not by itself establish when the satellite will be available for mobile-phone services. ISRO says NavIC is designed to provide positioning, navigation and timing services across India and an area extending about 1,500 kilometres beyond the country’s boundary. The system offers a civilian Standard Positioning Service and an encrypted Restricted Service for...