By R Anil Kumar
Bengaluru, November 2, 2025. The Indian Space Research Organisation ISROs heaviest satellite launch to date lifted off on Sunday, 2 November at the Scheduled 17.26 hrs IST, as CMS-03 mission, weighing approximately 4,410 kg began its journey to space.
ISRO scripts history as ‘Bahubali’ rocket injects heaviest satellite in orbit
The CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that would provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass, ISRO said.
The satellite was launched aboard the LVM3-M5 ‘Bahubali’ rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, marking the first time ISRO sent a satellite exceeding 4,000 kg into geosynchronous transfer orbit entirely from Indian soil.
This mission, marking the fifth operational flight of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), carried India’s heaviest communication satellite to date, weighing 4,410 kilograms, to place it into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite developed by ISRO, designed to provide reliable telecommunication coverage across India and the vast oceanic region surrounding the subcontinent.
CMS-03 deployed in space
ISRO has completed the LVM3 launch and CMS-03 has separated successfully.
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said the launch vehicle successfully injected the communication satellite in the required orbit.
The “4410 kg satellite is precisely injected,” he said. In his address from the Mission Control Centre post launch, he described the LVM 3 satellite as ‘Bahubali,’ in an apparent reference to its heavylift capability.
He recalled that the rocket’s previous launch was the “most prestigious Chandrayaan 3 which brought pride to nation.” It achieved “yet another pride” on Sunday after succeeding with the “heavier satellite.” All the eight LVM 3 launches, including its experimental mission, have been successful, showing a 100 per cent success rate.
The satellite was designed to provide communication services for at least 15 years and is “yet another shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India),” Narayanan, also Secretary, Department of Space, added.
The ISRO scientists had a tough time with the mission since the weather was not cooperative, but they worked hard and ensured success, he said.
Prior to Sunday’s launch, the Indian space agency has been utilising the services of Kourou launch base in French Guiana by Ariane rockets offered by France-based Arianespace, for launching heavier satellites.
On December 5, 2018 ISRO had launched its heaviest communication satellite GSAT-11 weighing 5,854 kg, onboard an Ariane-5 VA-246 rocket from French Guiana.
As regards Sunday’s mission, LVM3 rocket holds significance as it has successfully launched heavier communication satellite from Indian soil. The LVM3-M5 is the fifth operational flight, ISRO said.
The LVM3 vehicle was developed with completely indigenous technology including the C25 cryogenic stage. It has a track record of all successful launches, from the first development flight LVM-3 Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) launched in December 2014, ISRO said.
For the ambitious Gaganyaan Mission, ISRO had planned the Human rated LVM3 rocket as the launch vehicle, which is named as HRLV, ISRO said.
This LVM3 rocket is capable to carry payload to GTO weighing 4,000 kg and for Low Earth Orbit, payloads of 8,000 kg with its powerful cryogenic stage. The two S200 solid rocket boosters located on the sides of the rocket provide the thrust required for lift off.The S200 boosters are developed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
The third stage is L110 Liquid Stage and is powered by two Vikas engines designed and developed at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
The previous mission of LVM-3 rocket was the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 mission, wherein, India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar South pole in 2023. The satellite weighed 3841.4 kg.
LVM-3 launch: What is CMS-03 satellite?
GSAT-7R is designed to replace GSAT-7, which was launched in 2013. Both GSAT-7 (Rukmini) and its replacement GSAT-7R (CMS-03) are dedicated to the Indian Navy.
The GSAT-7A satellite from the same series was launched for the Indian Air Force. The GSAT-7 initiative aimed to make India self-reliant in naval communications and eliminate dependence on the Inmarsat constellation for the strategic communication needs of naval assets.
GSAT-7R, also designated as CMS-03 (Communication Satellite-03), is an advanced multi-band military communication satellite developed by Isro exclusively for the Indian Navy. It serves as a direct replacement for the ageing GSAT-7 (Rukmini), enhancing network-centric warfare capabilities by providing real-time, secure voice, video, and data transmission across naval assets, including warships, submarines, aircraft, and shore-based command centres.
CMS-03 launch a monumental achievement for India
“The successful launch of the CMS-03 satellite by LVM3 rocket (Bahubali) is a monumental achievement for India, powerfully demonstrating our sovereign capability in launching heavy-payload satellites for strategic applications.
This satellite will be a game-changer for our maritime and national security, providing advanced, secure communication channels that are critical in the Indian Ocean Region and mainland,” says Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd.), Director General, Indian Space Association (ISpA).
CMS-03 launch: ISRO did a big test in space
ISRO chief Dr V Narayanan, during his briefing, informed that the indigenously developed C25 cryogenic stage was successfully tested in space, marking a major milestone for the space agency. During the test, the thrust chamber of the C25 engine was ignited in orbit, providing crucial data that will help enhance ISROs capability to place multiple satellites into space with greater precision and efficiency.
LVM-3 launch LIVE: Why this satellite is important for Navy
CMS-03 offers significantly expanded coverage and bandwidth, ensuring real-time connectivity even in remote or contested ocean zones.
With upgraded encryption, broad frequency support (UHF, S, C, and Ku bands), and high-throughput transponders, CMS-03 will underpin network-centric naval operations, boost situational awareness, and support India’s blue-water ambitions.
The satellite is a critical node in the Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness grid, which allows coordinated responses to threats, improved fleet coordination, and secure information flow across vast oceanic distances.
LVM3 launch: Naval officers in attendance
Given the importance of the CMS-03 satellite for the Indian Navy. Naval officers are at the ISRO for the launch.
LVM-3 launch LIVE: What is CMS-03 satellite?
GSAT-7R is designed to replace GSAT-7, which was launched in 2013. Both GSAT-7 (Rukmini) and its replacement GSAT-7R (CMS-03) are dedicated to the Indian Navy.
The GSAT-7A satellite from the same series was launched for the Indian Air Force. The GSAT-7 initiative aimed to make India self-reliant in naval communications and eliminate dependence on the Inmarsat constellation for the strategic communication needs of naval assets.
GSAT-7R, also designated as CMS-03 (Communication Satellite-03), is an advanced multi-band military communication satellite developed by ISRO exclusively for the Indian Navy. It serves as a direct replacement for the ageing GSAT-7 (Rukmini), enhancing network-centric warfare capabilities by providing real-time, secure voice, video, and data transmission across naval assets including warships, submarines, aircraft, and shore-based command centres.
CMS-03 launch: Why LVM3 is called Bahubali of rockets?
LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), often nicknamed Bahubali Rocket, is ISRO’s most powerful launch vehicle to date. It is a three-stage heavy-lift rocket developed to carry large satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and to support India’s human spaceflight and deep space missions.
First Stage (S200) Two large solid rocket boosters provide the initial thrust at liftoff.
Second Stage (L110) Uses liquid propellant (Vikas engines) for sustained thrust.
Third Stage (C25 Cryogenic Stage) Uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen for high-efficiency propulsion to reach orbit.
LVM-3 launch: Heaviest satellite launch till date
CMS-03, weighing about 4,410kg, will be the heaviest communication satellite to be launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil.
The previous mission of LVM3 launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission, where in, India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole.
What’s next for ISRO?
The next mission, LVM3-M6, is scheduled for the second week of December and will launch a customer communication satellite into orbit. The integration of the satellite with the vehicle is underway at Sriharikota.
This apart, ISRO has busy launch schedule
this financial year with seven launches including the much-awaited Gaganyaan uncrewed Mission, stated ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan.
