ISRO’s landmark 100th mission has hit a setback as its navigation satellite, NVS-02, faces a technical glitch, raising concerns over its deployment.
The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) milestone 100th rocket mission has encountered a setback, as its navigation satellite, launched on Wednesday, developed a technical glitch on Sunday. Providing an update, ISRO stated that “orbit raising operations towards positioning the satellite to the designated orbital slot could not be carried out as the valves for admitting the oxidizer to fire the thrusters for orbit raising did not open.”
The NVS-02 satellite, developed by the U R Rao Satellite Centre, was meant to be positioned in a geostationary circular orbit over India. However, with its liquid engine failing to function optimally, the effort to place it in its designated orbit remains uncertain.
“The satellite systems are healthy and the satellite is currently in elliptical orbit. Alternate mission strategies for utilising the satellite for navigation in an elliptical orbit is being worked out,” ISRO said.
Launched at 6:23 am on Wednesday aboard the GSLV-F15 from Sriharikota, the mission was not only ISRO’s 100th but also the first under Chairman V Narayanan, who recently took office. It also marked ISRO’s maiden launch for the year.
