SRIHARIKOTA, India, Oct 31, 2026 - The Indian Space Research Organisation launched the NVS-03 navigation satellite aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 11:51pm IST on Friday 30 October,^[1] and confirmed on Saturday that it reached the planned geosynchronous transfer orbit.^[2] The 2,232 kg satellite was placed in an orbit of 170 km by 37,023 km.^[3] It was the 20th flight of the GSLV.^[4] Before the launch, NavIC had only three working satellites, too few to provide positioning.^[5] NVS-03 returns the system to the minimum of four active satellites required for positioning, navigation and timing services.^[6] The flight was only ISRO's second successful launch of 2026, following two PSLV failures in the prior 18 months.^[7] Impact Insight. A receiver needs signals from at least four satellites to calculate its position and the time. Satellites reach their final slots from a transfer orbit like this one using their own thrusters, so a successful insertion is the first step and not the last. Reliable regional navigation also reduces dependence on foreign systems for critical national operations.