Sun Feb 02 21:24:22 IST 2025: ## ISRO’s NVS-02 Satellite Faces Setback Due to Valve Malfunction
**Bengaluru, February 2, 2025** – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is facing a setback in its navigation satellite program. The NVS-02 satellite, launched on January 29th as part of ISRO’s 100th launch from Sriharikota, is unable to reach its designated orbital slot due to a malfunctioning valve.
The valve, responsible for admitting oxidiser to the satellite’s thrusters, failed to open, preventing the necessary orbit-raising manoeuvres. While the satellite’s systems are reportedly healthy and currently in an elliptical orbit, ISRO is developing alternative strategies to utilize its navigation capabilities from its current position.
ISRO confirmed that the launch itself was successful, with all stages performing flawlessly and the satellite achieving its initial Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. Solar panels deployed successfully, and communication with ground stations has been established. NVS-02, equipped with navigation payloads across multiple frequency bands and atomic clocks for precise timekeeping, was intended to replace the IRNSS-1E satellite at 111.75ºE.
The space agency is now working to overcome the technical hurdle and fully implement the NVS-02 satellite’s navigational functions.
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