India’s newest navigation satellite, NVS-02, has encountered a significant setback after failing to reach its intended geostationary orbit. Launched on January 29, 2025, aboard the GSLV-Mk 2 rocket, the satellite experienced a propulsion system malfunction, leaving it stranded in an unplanned elliptical orbit.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) confirmed the issue, stating that the valves responsible for supplying oxidizer to the thrusters failed to open. This prevented the necessary orbital raising maneuvers, leaving NVS-02 significantly lower than its planned operational altitude.
NVS-02 represents the second satellite in ISRO’s NVS series, a constellation designed to provide precise Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services across India. This new system aims to replace the aging Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). The launch marked a milestone for ISRO, representing both the first launch of 2025 and the organization’s 100th launch overall.
Initially, the mission appeared successful. The GSLV-Mk 2 rocket performed flawlessly, deploying NVS-02 into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Solar panels deployed correctly, and communication with ground control was established. ISRO reported a high degree of precision in achieving the initial orbit.
However, the critical thruster firing needed to raise the satellite to its final geostationary orbit failed. The inability to open the oxidizer valves prevented the thrusters from igniting, effectively stranding the satellite in its current elliptical path.
According to ISRO, the satellite’s systems remain healthy despite the propulsion issue. The organization is currently exploring alternative mission strategies to utilize NVS-02 for navigation purposes even in its unplanned elliptical orbit.
The intended geostationary transfer orbit for NVS-02 was designed with a perigee of 105 miles (170 kilometers) and an apogee of 22,727 miles (36,577 kilometers). Current tracking data from the U.S. military’s Space Track catalog places the satellite in a similar orbit, with a perigee of 102 miles (165 kilometers) and an apogee of 23,352 miles (37,582 kilometers). This low perigee exposes NVS-02 to significant atmospheric drag, raising concerns about its long-term orbital stability and the potential for eventual atmospheric reentry.
This setback comes amidst ambitious plans for India’s space program. ISRO aims to conduct 10 launches in 2025, striving to set a new national record. Following India’s successful lunar landing in August 2023, becoming the fourth nation to achieve this feat, ISRO has set its sights on even more ambitious goals, including an orbital space station by 2035 and a crewed lunar landing by 2040.
This incident with NVS-02 underscores the inherent complexities and challenges of spaceflight, even for established spacefaring nations. While ISRO explores alternative solutions for the stranded satellite, the focus remains on ensuring the success of future missions and achieving India’s ambitious space exploration objectives.
