India Set for Historic 100th Launch as GSLV-F15 Prepares for Liftoff

SRIHARIKOTA, ANDHRA PRADESH - January 29, 2024: India is on the cusp of a historic milestone as its geo-synchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-F15) stands poised to lift off from the second launch pad at 6:23 am IST, marking the country's 100th successful launch from its premier space centre.
The GSLV-F15, standing 50.9 meters tall and weighing an impressive 420.7 tonnes, is carrying a crucial payload - NVS-02, India's second-generation navigation satellite under the Navic constellation. This mission will replace IRNSS-1E and represent the GSLV series' 17th flight.
What's more remarkable is that this launch will mark the rocket's eighth operational flight with an indigenous cryostage, a testament to India's growing prowess in space technology.
The 2250-kilogram NVS-02 satellite will be propelled into a geosynchronous transfer orbit at an altitude of 322.93 km and will undergo a series of orbital manoeuvres to reach its final position.
India's space program has come a long way since its first launch, with the maiden liftoff of Arihant in 2014. The recent successful test flight of NVS-01 with an indigenous atomic clock on May 29, 2023, marked a significant milestone in India's pursuit of self-sufficiency in space technology.
The 100th successful launch from Sriharikota will be a proud moment for India's space community and solidify the country's position as a major player in the global space industry.