India launches NVS-03: NavIC navigation system back to four satellites, the minimum to work on its own

India's GSLV-F18 launched the NVS-03 navigation satellite on October 30 at 23:51 IST from Sriharikota, The Week reports. The roughly 2,232-kilogram satellite reached a 170 by 38,080-kilometre transfer orbit, and a first engine burn on October 31 raised it to 5,478 by 37,833 kilometres.

Only three NavIC satellites were working before the launch; with NVS-03 the system has four, the minimum for independent positioning. The full constellation calls for seven. NavIC has reached its "minimum operational configuration of four satellites", ISRO chairman V. Narayanan said.

An Indian clock

The satellite broadcasts a new L1 signal and carries an Indian-built atomic clock, with a final slot at 111.75 degrees east. The previous satellite, NVS-02, was lost because its pyro valves never opened.