India’s NavIC constellation in jeopardy as majority of satellites become defunct

Disclaimer: A previous version of this article contained an error that has since been removed. We strive for accuracy and transparency, and the current version reflects updates correcting this mistake. Please refer to the information below for more current and accurate details on India’s NavIC satellite constellation.

India’s regional satellite navigation system, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), is facing a severe operational crisis, with only four of its 11 satellites currently operational, according to government data and news reports.

Developed and maintained by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), NavIC is intended to provide precise positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services across India and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders. However, this constellation is now on the brink of becoming near-defunct, according to the Indian Defence Research Wing.

Of the four satellites still fully operational, IRNSS-1B has already exceeded its planned 10-year mission life and is at risk of imminent failure. At the same time, IRNSS-1F is also nearing the end of its lifespan with partial equipment failures. IRNSS-1I, launched in 2018, is expected to remain functional until around 2028 but its longevity remains uncertain given the premature failures in the constellation.

The new generation satellite, NVS-01, launched in May 2023, is operational. Still, its immediate successor, NVS-02, launched in January 2025, failed to reach its intended geostationary orbit due to a propulsion system malfunction and remains stranded in a transfer orbit, rendering it unable to provide navigation services.

The failure of NVS-02 to reach orbit halted progress and highlighted technical challenges that ISRO must address to avoid repeat failures. The Indian government has committed to launching the remaining NVS satellites (NVS-03, NVS-04 and NVS-05) by the end of 2026.

This year, ISRO has had two mission failures within seven months: the NVS-02 satellite failed to reach orbit and the PSLV-C61 launch vehicle failure destroyed the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite.

Timely replacement and system upgrades are crucial for maintaining India’s strategic autonomy and meeting the growing demands for accurate, independent navigation services in both civilian and defense applications.