ISRO Gears Up for Historic 100th Launch on January 29: Here's Why It Matters

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for a historic achievement with its 100th launch, set for January 29, 2025 at 6:23 AM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This significant mission will see the GSLV-F15 rocket carrying the NVS-02 satellite, a key addition to India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. The GSLV-F15, marking its 17th flight is designed to enhance India’s navigation capabilities, serving both civilian and military purposes.

The NVS-02 satellite, replacing the IRNSS-1E satellite at the geostationary position of 111.75°E will improve the accuracy of navigation services across India and its neighboring regions. Equipped with advanced atomic clocks and various navigation payloads, the NVS-02 will provide precise positioning data, solidifying India’s role in global satellite navigation systems alongside GPS and other systems.

This mission follows the successful PSLV-C60 launch by ISRO on December 30, 2024 concluding a productive year. ISRO Chairman S Somanath highlighted the importance of meticulous planning and execution to ensure the mission’s success, stressing that while success is not guaranteed, every effort is made to ensure a positive outcome. As ISRO prepares for this landmark launch it also looks forward to other significant missions planned for 2025, including uncrewed test flights for the Gaganyaan mission and additional satellite launches. The GSLV-F15/NVS-02 mission represents a major milestone for ISRO and a significant advancement in India’s space technology.