The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-12 (GSLV-12) on Monday, carrying Navigation with Indian Constellation-01 (NavIC-01) into orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota Island.
The 51.7-meter-tall GSLV-F12, which is India's larger rocket crucial for future space missions, lifted off majestically from the launch pad at 10.42 am (IST).
The 2,232 Kgs NVS-01 satellite, also known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, is a new generation of communication satellites designed to boost India's navigational and monitoring capabilities across various areas, with crucial new augmentation features.
The NVS-01 is said to be an Indian alternative to Global Positioning Systems, or GPS, crucial for multiple applications ranging from map services, and regional navigation to positioning data for missiles, civil aviation, and military requirements.
The mission has also launched an indigenously developed Rubidium atomic clock from Space Applications Centre in Gujarat state's Ahmedabad city.