Upcoming Launch of GSLV/NVS-03

| October 28, 2026 | Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) | No Comments

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch its next Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission this week.

Mission Details for GSLV-F18:

  • Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
  • Time: 11:51 PM IST
  • Location: Second Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
  • Payload: NVS-03

It will carry the NVS-03 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit to strengthen NavIC, India’s regional alternative to GPS.

NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation)

NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), officially known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), is an autonomous regional satellite navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

It was designed to provide accurate positioning and timing services over India and the surrounding region up to 1,500 km beyond its borders. NavIC provides two levels of service:

  • Standard Position Service (SPS): Open for public/civilian use.
  • Restricted Service (RS): An encrypted, high-precision service reserved for defense and strategic agencies.

Key Comparisons: NavIC vs. GPS

FeatureNavIC (India)GPS (United States)
CoverageRegional: India + 1,500 km extension.Global: Full worldwide coverage.
Constellation Size~7 to 8 operational satellites (being upgraded via NVS series).~31 active operational satellites.
Orbit TypesGeostationary (GEO) & Geosynchronous (GSO) high-altitude orbits (~36,000 km).Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) (~20,200 km).
Frequencies UsedDual-frequency natively (L5 band & S band; newer NVS series adds L1 band).Primary single/dual-frequency band (L1, L2, L5).
Regional AccuracySuperior regional accuracy (typically < 5 to 10 meters for civilians, higher for defense).Standard global accuracy (typically 5 to 20 meters for public use).

Why NavIC Differs Signal-Wise

  1. High-Altitude Orbits: Because NavIC satellites are positioned in higher geostationary/geosynchronous orbits, they remain permanently visible or linger over the Indian subcontinent, ensuring continuous line-of-sight signal coverage even in dense urban canyons or mountainous areas.
  2. Dual-Frequency Signal Processing: NavIC was built from the ground up to use dual frequencies simultaneously (L5 and S-band/L1). This allows receivers to directly calculate and correct for ionospheric signal delay, resulting in faster and more precise position fixes within its coverage zone.
  3. Strategic Independence: NavIC eliminates reliance on foreign-controlled navigation networks during national emergencies or military operations.

In the Indian mobile ecosystem, NavIC support has expanded from selective chipset adoption to broad integration across entry-level, mid-range, and flagship devices.

Because NavIC relies on specific L5 and S-band RF hardware receivers (rather than purely software updates), a smartphone’s ability to use the system depends directly on its underlying SoC (System on Chip) and antenna design.

Key Supported Chipsets

ManufacturerSupported Chipset Families
QualcommSnapdragon 8 Series: 865, 870, 888, 8 Gen 1, 8 Gen 2, 8 Gen 3, and newer.

Snapdragon 7 Series: 720G, 765, 778G, 7 Gen series.

Snapdragon 6 & 4 Series: 662, 680, 695, 460, 4 Gen series.
MediaTekDimensity Series: 800, 900, 1000, 1200, 1300, 7000, 8000, and 9000 series.

Helio Series: Select mid-tier G-series chips.
AppleA-Series Bionic / Pro: A17 Pro, A18, A18 Pro, and subsequent chipsets.

Popular Smartphone Series Supporting NavIC

1. Apple

  • iPhone 15 Pro & iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 16 Series (iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max)
  • Note: Standard iPhone 15 and older models (iPhone 14 and below) lack hardware L5 NavIC support.

2. Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO

  • Xiaomi / Mi Series: Mi 11X / 11X Pro, Xiaomi 11T Pro, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G, Xiaomi 12 Pro, 13 Pro, 14, and 15 series.
  • Redmi Series: Redmi Note 9 Pro / Pro Max, Redmi Note 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 Pro series.
  • POCO Series: POCO F4 5G, POCO X4 Pro, POCO F5 / F6 series.

3. Samsung

  • Galaxy S Series: Galaxy S23 series, S24 series, S25 series (equipped with supported Snapdragon/Exynos chipsets).
  • Galaxy A & M Series: Select 5G models powered by Snapdragon or Dimensity processors.

4. OnePlus & RealMe

  • OnePlus: OnePlus Nord 2T, Nord 3/4, OnePlus 9/10/11/12/13 series.
  • Realme: Realme 6 Pro, Realme 7 Pro, Realme X50 Pro 5G, Realme GT series.

5. Vivo & iQOO

  • Vivo: Vivo X80, X80 Pro, X90, X100, V25 Pro, V27/V29/V30 series.
  • iQOO: iQOO 3, iQOO 9/11/12/13 series.

How to Verify NavIC Signal on Your Phone

Android and iOS settings menus do not explicitly show which navigation satellite is currently locking onto your signal. To verify if your phone is actively receiving NavIC signals:

  1. Download a free satellite diagnostic app like GPSTest (by Barbarian) or GPS Status & Toolbox from the Google Play Store.
  2. Open the app while outdoors with a clear view of the sky.
  3. Look at the Satellites / Skyplot tab:
    • NavIC satellites appear with the Indian Flag icon or are labeled as NavIC, IRNSS, or under Satellite IDs 33 to 41 (or NVS series IDs).