02 November,2025 07:33 PM IST | Andhra Pradesh | mid-day online correspondent
ISRO`s launch vehicle LVM3-M5 carrying communication satellite CMS-03 lifts off from the launch pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Pic/PTI
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Indian Navy's GSAT-7R (CMS-03) communication satellite on Sunday. The satellite is India's heaviest to date, weighing around 4,400 kg, news agency ANI reported, quoting the Indian Navy.
The satellite took off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota at 5.26 pm. The indigenously developed satellite is designed to strengthen the navy's space-based communications and maritime domain awareness, featuring state-of-the-art components developed specifically to meet operational requirements.
"This satellite is India's heaviest communication satellite to date, weighing approximately more than 4,400 kg, and includes many indigenous state-of-the-art components developed specifically to meet the Indian Navy's operational requirements," the Indian Navy said.
CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide coverage over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass, ANI reported, citing ISRO.
The satellite was launched aboard the LVM3-M5 launch vehicle, which previously carried India's Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon's south pole.
This mission marked the fifth operational flight of the LVM3 vehicle, ANI reported.
"CMS-03, weighing about 4,400 kg, will be the heaviest communication satellite to be launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil. The previous mission of LVM3 launched Chandrayaan-3, in which India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole," ISRO said.
The LVM3-M5, standing at 43.5 metres with a liftoff mass of 642 tonnes, uses three stages of propellants to deliver satellites into GTO. The launch included eight sequences, with the satellite separating from the vehicle at an altitude of around 179 kilometres at a velocity of 10 km per second. The vehicle had been assembled earlier and placed on the pad on October 26 for pre-launch operations.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh lauded the launch, calling the rocket "Bahubali" in a post on X. He praised ISRO and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting India's space missions.
"India's Bahubali scales the skies with the successful launch of LVM3-M5 Mission. âBahubali', as it is being popularly referred, is carrying the CMS-03 communication satellite, the heaviest ever to be launched from Indian soil into GTO. ISRO continues to script one success after another. Thanks, PM Modi, for the unflinching government support," Singh wrote.
Narottam Sahoo, Advisor to the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology, said the launch would boost confidence ahead of India's Gaganyaan Mission.
"As we keep building new rockets, our confidence reaches new heights. Just as the preparations for Gaganyaan are in the final stages, the successful launch of this rocket will further boost our confidence," Sahoo said.
The launch of CMS-03 cements India's growing capabilities in space-based strategic communication and maritime security.
(With ANI inputs)
