Context:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) oversee the historic 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota with the GSLV-F15 mission.
GSLV-F15 Mission
- Date
- The launch date has been set on 29th of January at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
- Vehicle
- It will utilize a GSLV F15 and is well provided with an indigeneous cryogenic stage for the same mission.
- Objective
- To place the NVS02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)
A GTO is an elliptical orbit through which the satellite passes from geosynchronous transfer orbit into the geosynchronous orbit.
- How it Works?
- Satellites are placed in GTO for intermediary purposes towards the GSO. The GTO orbit has both apogee, which is a point distant from Earth and a perigee as the nearest to Earth.
- At apogee, the satellite will rotate parallel to Earth’s equator and will fire its rocket engine to reach a circular orbit.
- Why it is Used?
- The manufacturers of launch vehicles tend to boast of how much payload they can put into a GTO.
- Satellites in geosynchronous orbits are helpful in communications as they can cover large portions of Earth.
- Related Missions
- GTOSat: A mission that investigates acceleration and loss mechanisms of relativistic electrons in the Earth’s outer radiation belts.
About the NVS02 Satellite
- Purpose
- NVS02 is part of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system.
- Series
- This satellite is the second in the NVS series designed to enhance India;s regional navigation capabilities.
- Improve Features
- It is one of the five follow on second generation NavIC satellites NVS01 to NVS05 dedicated toward improving and ensuring continuity of navigation services
NavIC Indias Regional Navigation Satellite System
- Service
- Provides accurate Position Velocity and Timing (PVT) services.
- Covers
- India and an area of about 1500 km beyond the Indian landmass.
- Services
- Standard Positioning Service (SPS)
- Provides position accuracy better than 20 meters and timing accuracy better than 40 nanoseconds.
- Restricted Service (RS)
- More security and encryption is provided along with the navigation service to the authorized users.
- Standard Positioning Service (SPS)
Importance of the Mission
- Milestone
- It marks ISROs 100th launch from the Sriharikota spaceport that reflects decades of achievements in space travel.
- Strategic Advantage
- The NavIC system will further the self reliance of India in navigation technology not relying on other foreign systems such as GPS.
- Continuity of Service
- It enhances the NavIC constellation to provide uninterrupted navigation services to users in India and the neighboring regions.
