Bengaluru: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reached a significant milestone with the successful launch of the GSLV-F15 rocket, marking its 100th rocket launch from the Sriharikota spaceport. The mission, which successfully placed the NVS-02 navigation satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, represents a new chapter in India’s space exploration journey.
A Journey of Six Generations : Taking nearly 46 years to achieve this feat, ISRO has evolved through six generations of launch vehicles. The journey began in 1979 with the first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) mission, led by visionary leaders like Dr. Satish Dhawan and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Over the decades, ISRO has developed sophisticated launch vehicles, sending 548 satellites into space, including 433 for international clients. These missions have collectively placed over 120 tonnes of payloads into orbit, underscoring India’s growing presence in the global space industry.
Aiming for the Next 100 in Just Five Years : With its legacy firmly established, ISRO has set an ambitious target: achieving the next 100 launches in just five years. This goal is backed by upcoming missions, including the launch of the NISAR satellite on a GSLV rocket and the highly anticipated Gaganyaan uncrewed mission. Furthermore, ISRO is gearing up for groundbreaking projects such as Chandrayaan-4 and 5, along with a pioneering Mars landing mission.
The Significance of NVS-02 : The NVS-02 satellite, weighing 2,250 kg, is a crucial addition to India’s navigation satellite network. It replaces the IRNSS-IE and joins four operational satellites, ensuring the continued functionality and expansion of India’s indigenous navigation system. Notably, NVS-02 carries both an indigenous and a procured atomic clock, enhancing its precision capabilities. ISRO has also secured approvals for three additional navigation satellites, with one expected to be launched in the next five to six months.
The Challenges and Triumph of GSLV-F15 : Weighing 420.7 tonnes, the GSLV-F15 rocket successfully completed its mission in 19 minutes, keeping ISRO scientists at the edge of their seats in the mission control complex. The flawless execution of the launch demonstrated ISRO’s technical prowess and operational efficiency.
ISRO’s Vision for the Future : ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan emphasized the organization’s confidence in achieving its ambitious target of 100 launches in five years. “That is the target, and it is possible,” he affirmed. He further highlighted that accelerating activities related to newly approved projects will be a key priority in the coming years.
With an impressive track record, a rapidly expanding portfolio of projects, and an unyielding commitment to innovation, ISRO is poised to redefine India’s space exploration capabilities. As the organization embarks on this ambitious journey, it continues to inspire generations and solidify India’s position as a global space leader.
