Kumar Bahukhandi
The CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that would provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass, ISRO said. (Image: X)
Heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 launched from Sriharikotta
Srihari Kota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) on Sunday November 2, 2025 scripted history by successfully launching its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03 (GSAT-7R), enhancing the country’s space and defence capabilities. The launch was done aboard the country’s most powerful LVM3-M5 rocket — also dubbed as the Bahubali launcher — from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
“This 4,410-kg satellite has been precisely injected into orbit,” said ISRO chairman V. Narayanan, moments after the successful launch.
The CMS-03 is the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil, surpassing the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft (3,900 kg) launched in 2023. However, Isro’s heaviest satellite so far was GSAT-11 (5,854 kg), launched in 2018 using a French Ariane-5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. The mission also reinforces Isro’s preparation for the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, which will use a human-rated variant of LVM3 (HRLV).
Isro said the mission faced challenging weather conditions, but the team worked relentlessly to ensure success. “It was not an easy job. It’s a tough mission, but our team’s commitment ensured success,” Narayanan said, lauding his scientists and engineers.
“After bringing pride to the nation with Chandrayaan-3, LVM3 has achieved yet another milestone with this heavier satellite,” he said, calling CMS-03 “another shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
The CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) is a multi-band communication satellite designed to provide secure, high-capacity links across the Indian Ocean region, including the entire Indian landmass and surrounding maritime domains. It would replace the GSAT-7R (Rukmini), launched in 2013, and could provide services for at least 15 years.
The satellite will operate across UHF, S, C, and Ku bands, enabling enhanced voice, video, and data communication for maritime operations, including surveillance and real-time coordination for naval and strategic users.
The CMS-03 mission underscores India’s growing strategic independence in satellite launches. Until recently, Isro relied on foreign launch services, such as Arianespace from French Guiana, for its heavier payloads. The success of LVM3-M5 firmly places India among the few nations capable of launching large satellites from their own soil.
The Isro chief, briefing the media, unveiled the organisation’s ambitious plan of seven rocket launches by March 2026, including the first uncrewed mission under the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
“The Gaganyaan project is progressing steadily and has entered an advanced phase. All hardware for the mission has arrived in Sriharikota and integration is under way. We have planned three uncrewed missions before the crewed flight,” Narayanan said.
He said the first uncrewed mission, G1, would be launched before the end of this fiscal year, marking a major step towards India’s maiden human spaceflight.
The launch took place as scheduled from the Second Launch Pad, with the 43.5-metre-tall rocket — weighing 642 tonnes — lifting off amid bright orange plumes and thunderous applause from mission control. About 16 minutes after liftoff, the rocket injected the 4,410 kg CMS-03 satellite into its intended geosynchronous transfer orbit.
Following Sunday’s launch, Isro will undertake another LVM3 mission carrying a commercial communication satellite for an international client. This would be followed by three PSLV missions, including one for a customer of NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) — the commercial arm of ISRO responsible for enabling space sector partnerships and satellite launches for global clients.
In addition, Narayanan said Isro is preparing for a technology development mission, PSLV-N1. A GSLV-F17 mission is also on the schedule before March 2026. “We have also planned for a GSLV-F17 rocket mission before March 2026.”
“Team Isro is geared up to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of launching 50 missions in the next five years,” he said.
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Mission Highlights: LVM3-M5 / CMS-03
· Launch Site: Second Launch Pad, SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota
· Rocket: LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) — India’s heavy-lift launcher
· Vehicle Height: 43.5 metres
· Lift-off Mass: 642 tonnes
· Payload: CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) communication satellite
· Payload Weight: 4,410kg — heaviest launched to GTO from India
· Orbit: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) with apogee ~29,970km
· Mission Life: 15 years (estimated)
· Purpose: Secure, multi-band communications over Indian Ocean region
· Significance: Demonstrates Isro’s enhanced heavy-lift and mission optimization capabilities
· Previous LVM3 Missions: Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, Gaganyaan test flight
