The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), marking its momentous 100th rocket launch, has recently encountered significant challenges with its navigation satellite NVS-02. Launched on January 29, 2023, the satellite has been unable to complete its orbit-raising operations due to technical glitches reported just days after its launch.
According to ISRO, the intended orbit adjustments could not be executed because "the valves for admitting the oxidizer to fire the thrusters for orbit raising did not open." This failure has left the NVS-02 satellite stranded in an elliptical orbit, far from its designated geostationary position over India. The satellite was supposed to provide enhanced navigation services as part of India's Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), but with the current orbital issues, experts are concerned about its ability to deliver its full range of services.
The NVS-02 satellite weighs around 2,250 kilograms and was manufactured by ISRO's U R Rao Satellite Centre. It is the second satellite of the second generation of the NavIC system, which is India's regional counterpart to the Global Positioning System (GPS). The NavIC project was initiated to bolster India's navigational capabilities, responding to operational difficulties faced during the 1999 Kargil conflict, when high-quality GPS data was not available to Indian forces.
ISRO's recent report conveyed confidence about the health of the satellite's systems. They stated, "The satellite systems are healthy and the satellite is currently in elliptical orbit. Alternate mission strategies for utilizing the satellite for navigation in elliptical orbit are being worked out." This indicates ISRO's proactive approach to salvage the mission by exploring different ways to leverage the satellite's capabilities, even if it cannot reach its intended orbit.
Despite these reassurances, the technical difficulties have stirred concerns among experts. The thrust failure is described as significant since the NVS-02 was expected to perform multiple orbit maneuvers to facilitate precision terrestrial, aerial, and maritime navigation, as well as applications like precision agriculture and fleet management. The consequences of operating from its current orbit, which ranges between approximately 170 kilometers and 36,577 kilometers from Earth, are still being assessed.
The launch of the NVS-02 was executed using the GSLV-F15 rocket at 6:23 AM from the Sriharikota spaceport, celebrating ISRO’s achievements as its first launch for the year and the 100th overall. This mission also marked the debut under ISRO's new Chairman, V Narayanan, following his recent appointment to the position.
While ISRO maintained, "all the launch vehicle stages performed flawlessly and the orbit was achieved with high precision," the satellite's inability to execute its post-launch maneuvers has raised questions about future plans for the NavIC program. The mission was expected to solidify India's position among nations with their own global navigation systems and potentially facilitate services extending beyond Indian borders.
Since its inception, the NavIC program has launched eleven satellites, of which six have faced complete or partial functional failures. The recent difficulties with the NVS-02 satellite reflect the challenges ISRO has encountered throughout the development of its navigation systems. Setting lofty goals, the organization has aimed to provide accurate positioning, velocity, and timing services to the population of India and even up to 1,500 kilometers beyond its borders.
Following the launch, initial indications of the satellite's issues were noted by users of space situational awareness applications. Reports indicated no significant orbital maneuvers were executed as ISRO had anticipated, raising speculations about the satellite's operational status. Observations suggested the NVS-02 appeared to be moving at much the same position following its launch, which was corroborated by data recorded from open-source sources.
With ISRO establishing communication with ground stations and indicating nominal power generation following the deployment of solar panels on the NVS-02, the directive remains to navigate this technological setback. Plans for alternate uses of the satellite, though not optimal, are now being considered. Navigation experts and enthusiasts are closely watching how ISRO will resolve the current issues and adapt its strategic plans to maximize the utility of the satellite.
Although setbacks are part of significant technological developments, the NVS-02's situation serves as both an obstacle and, potentially, an opportunity for ISRO to innovate. With the space agency's track record of overcoming challenges, the aspiration remains to fully utilize the NVS-02 even amid its current limitations.
ISRO's unwavering commitment to enhancing India's navigation capabilities and its proactive engagement with challenges positions the organization well to tackle this situation. While this glitch marks yet another hurdle for the NavIC initiative, the determination of ISRO to innovate and adapt reflects the spirit of Indian advancement as they move forward.