ISRO has placed the NVS-03 navigation satellite in orbit using GSLV-F18, aiming to restore NavIC's standalone positioning capability after several satellites went out of service.

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• ISRO launched GSLV-F18 carrying NVS-03 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 11:51 pm IST on October 30, 2026.
• ISRO announced that the satellite was placed in its intended orbit after the launch.
• GSLV-F18 was the 20th flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle programme.
• NVS-03 is the third satellite of the second-generation NavIC series, which is planned to have five satellites in all.
• GSLV is a three-stage vehicle with a solid core stage, four liquid strap-on boosters, a liquid second stage and a cryogenic upper stage.
• The satellite will carry out orbit-raising manoeuvres after separation to reach its operational orbit.
• Second-generation NavIC satellites add the L1 frequency, which improves compatibility with civilian navigation devices.
• NavIC, formerly IRNSS, provides positioning, navigation and timing services across India and up to about 1,500 km beyond its borders.
• The constellation has been hit by satellite failures, expired lifespans and atomic clock problems on board some satellites.
• The Department of Space told Parliament on July 29, 2026 that only IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1I and NVS-01 were providing services, short of the four satellites needed for standalone positioning.
• NVS-03 is meant to help NavIC regain its standalone positioning capability.
• The mission follows ISRO's January 2026 PSLV-C62 launch, which suffered a third-stage performance anomaly.