Indian navigation satellite stranded in transfer orbit after valve malfunction

The NVS-02 navigation satellite being encapsulated into its payload fairing ahead of its Jan. 28 launch. (Photo: ISRO)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has encountered a significant setback with its recently launched NVS-02 navigation satellite. Launched on Jan. 28, 2025, the satellite is currently stranded in a transfer orbit due to a critical failure in its onboard propulsion system, ISRO stated in a report. The issue occurred when the valves admitting the oxidizer to fire the thrusters for orbit raising failed to open, which prevented the satellite from reaching its intended orbital position.

The NVS-02 satellite, part of India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) program, was launched using a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The launch placed the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit with a perigee of approximately 165 km and an apogee of approximately 37,582 km.

ISRO noted in its statement that other systems on the spacecraft were working well, including a successful deployment of its solar panels.

“The satellite systems are healthy and the satellite is currently in elliptical orbit. Alternate mission strategies for utilizing the satellite for navigation in an elliptical orbit are being worked out,” ISRO stated.

The space agency is now exploring alternative mission strategies to utilize the satellite for navigation in its current elliptical orbit. However, the low perigee of NVS-02 poses a significant risk, as it exposes the spacecraft to high atmospheric drag, potentially leading to an early reentry if the orbit cannot be raised.

NVS-02 is based on ISRO’s I-2K satellite bus, which has been used for other Indian communications and navigation satellites operating in geostationary orbit. The spacecraft had a launch mass of 2,250 kg.

The spacecraft was intended to operate at 111.75 degrees east in GEO, replacing the IRNSS-1E spacecraft there. It is the second of five satellites planned for India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation, or NavIC, program to provide positioning, navigation and timing services in India and the surrounding region. The first, NVS-01, launched in 2023 and operates in GEO.