Slow recovery: On the ISRO’s GSLV-F18 mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a slow but steady recovery following two unsuccessful launch attempts in 2026. The latest mission, GSLV-F18, successfully placed the NVS-03 satellite in orbit, which is crucial for the 'Navigation with Indian Constellation' (NavIC) programme that has lacked a functional satellite for the past six months.

This mission is significant as it also addresses the rescue needed for the NavIC programme, which requires at least one indigenous atomic clock onboard, as recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology. ISRO's investment in quantum timekeeping has led to the integration of indigenously made atomic clocks in the three second-generation NVS satellites, marking a shift from the imported clocks used in the first-generation IRNSS satellites.

The launch of NVS-03 also signifies a successful rescue mission for the NavIC programme, which has been struggling to provide standalone positioning services over the Indian subcontinent due to the lack of a functional satellite. The success of this mission comes after the ISRO Space Applications Centre's 'request for proposals' in 2025 specified a nearly two-year lead time between contract start and the first two flight models, highlighting the need for improved procurement processes and vendor readiness.

The government's decision to allocate around ₹17,000 crore in the 2027-28 Union Budget for the Department of Space, up from ₹13,705.6 crore in 2026-27, will aid ISRO in manufacturing launch vehicles, replacing satellites, and recruiting personnel. However, the rapid success of these missions amidst limited resources may hinder ISRO's progress towards its ambitious goals of human spaceflight, a space station, and reusable launch vehicle capabilities.