ISRO Celebrates Historic 100th Rocket Launch with NVS-02 Satellite Deployment

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has marked a significant milestone in its space exploration journey by successfully launching its 100th rocket, GSLV-F15, carrying the NVS-02 satellite. The launch took place at 6:23 AM on January 29, 2025, from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

This mission is particularly noteworthy as it is the first launch under the leadership of ISRO's new Chairman, V Narayanan, who expressed pride in the achievement, stating, "This mission is the 100th launch which is a very significant milestone." He confirmed that the satellite was precisely injected into its designated orbit and that all vehicle systems were functioning normally post-launch.

The GSLV-F15 represents the 17th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle and is equipped with an indigenous cryogenic stage. Over the years, the rocket has faced challenges, including a 37% failure rate in its past flights, making this successful launch a commendable achievement.

The satellite is part of India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, designed to provide accurate positioning and timing services, extending approximately 1500 kilometers beyond Indian territory. This advancement comes in the wake of India's need for an independent navigation system, following past experiences with global positioning system limitations during regional conflicts.

This launch not only confirms India's capabilities in mastering complex rocket technologies but also fortifies its position in the global space arena. ISRO hopes to continue building on this success in its future missions.

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