ISRO will be launching five next-generation satellites featuring new payloads and an extended lifespan of 12 years. Five new satellites viz. NVS-01, NVS-02, NVS-03, NVS-04 and NVS-05 will supplement and augment the current constellation of satellites.

The new satellites will feature the L5 and S-band and introduce a new interoperable civil signal in the L1 band in the navigation payload and will use Indian Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (iRAFS).

This introduction of the new L1 band will help facilitate NavIC proliferation in wearable smart and IoT devices featuring a low-power navigation system. NVS-01 is a replacement for IRNSS-1G satellite and will launch on GSLV in 2023.

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II) is the launch vehicle developed by India, to launch communication satellites in geo transfer orbit using cryogenic third stage. Initially Russian GK supplied cryogenic stages were used. Later cryogenic stage was indigenously developed and inducted in Jan 2014 from GSLV D5 onwards. This operational fourth generation launch vehicle is a three stage vehicle with four liquid strap-ons. The flight proven indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), forms the third stage of GSLV Mk II. From January 2014, the vehicle has achieved six consecutive successes.

Stats

Height: 51.73 m (With Ogive PLF)

Number of Stages: 3

Lift Off Mass: 420 tonnes

Payload to GTO: 2,250 kg (4,960 lbs)

Payload to LEO (Low Earth Orbit) : 6,000 kg (13,227.7 lbs)

Credit: ISRO

The Second Launch Pad was built between March 1999 and December 2003.

It was used for the first time on May 5th, 2005 and can launch three different types of rockets: the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-II, and the GSLV Mk-III.

The pad has launched several important missions. One of them was Chandrayaan-1, India's first Moon mission and the flight that discovered water on the lunar surface.

The pad is also the one India plans to use for its upcoming human space program.

Satish Dhawan Space Centre

The Satish Dhawan Space Centre, or Sriharikota Range, is a rocket launch center operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

It is located in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh and was chosen for its remote location. The center launched its first suborbital mission in 1971 and first orbital flight on August 10th, 1979.

The spaceport received its current name in 2005 when it was named in honor of Satish Dhawan, the former head of the ISRO.

The facility has two launch pads and will be the base of India's upcoming human spaceflight program.

Image credit: ISRO