While most of India slept on Friday night, thousands of scientists, engineers, and technicians at the Indian Space Research Organisation stayed awake, carrying out a mission of enormous strategic significance. At 11:51 pm, from Sriharikota, ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-F18, thundered into the night sky carrying NVS-03, a crucial navigation satellite that will help restore and strengthen India’s indigenous navigation constellation, NavIC.

The successful mission was much more than another satellite launch. It was a step towards plugging a critical gap in India’s strategic infrastructure.

Minutes later, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan announced that the satellite had been “successfully and precisely placed in the intended elliptical orbit.” Describing the importance of the mission, he said India can now move closer towards the goal of “One Nation, One Time”, highlighting the importance of indigenous and highly accurate timing and navigation services.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated ISRO on the successful launch of the satellite.

“This mission marks an important step in strengthening NavIC, our indigenous satellite navigation system. Equipped with enhanced capabilities, NVS-03 will further our pursuit of self-reliance in critical technologies and support navigation services that benefit our people. The dedication and ingenuity of our space scientists continue to make our nation proud,” he wrote in a post on X.