Century and counting: Isro's 100th mission from Sriharikota takes off

At 6.23am on Wednesday, when a GSLV-F15 rocket carrying the NVS-02 took off from the Indian Space Research Organisation's launch centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, it wasn't just another satellite launch by the space agency.

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It was its 100th.

"This mission is the 100th launch from our launchpads, which is a very significant milestone for India," said Isro chief V Narayanan. The launch is the first since he took office on January 16.

The launch marks the eighth operational flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle with an indigenous cryogenic stage. NVS-02 is part of the NavIC constellation and will aid in terrestrial, aerial and maritime navigation and precision agriculture.

"I am extremely happy to announce from the spaceport of Isro, that the first launch of this year, 2025, has been successfully accomplished, with GSLV- F15 launch vehicle precisely injecting the navigation satellite NVS-02 in the intended required (GTO) orbit," added Narayanan.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on its historic 100th launch. "Congratulations to @isro on the historic 100th launch! This incredible milestone illustrates the vision, dedication and commitment of our scientists and engineers.

With the private sector joining hands, India's space journey will continue to attain new heights," he said on X.

Union minister of state for space Jitendra Singh added: "This 100th launch marks a quantum leap in the space sector. We are now building a third launch pad in Sriharikota, and for the first time, expanding beyond Sriharikota with a new launch site in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin district, where the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Modi last February." There was no special celebration at the launch centre, though. Isro's scientists smiled, shook hands, patted each other on the back, and walked away to scheduled meetings. Wednesday was a working day after all.