The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday successfully launched its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, marking a major milestone in India’s space capabilities.

The 4,410-kg satellite was launched aboard the LVM3-M5 ‘Bahubali’ rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 5:26 PM, and was successfully placed into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Key Highlights

  • CMS-03, a multi-band communication satellite, will provide services across the Indian landmass and surrounding oceanic regions for at least 15 years.
  • ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said the LVM3-M5 vehicle successfully injected the satellite into orbit, recalling that its previous flight had powered the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
  • The LVM3-M5, nicknamed ‘Bahubali’, is a three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle featuring two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).
  • With this launch, ISRO’s LVM3 series has achieved a 100% success rate, completing eight flawless missions, including an experimental flight.
  • The CMS-03 satellite replaces the GSAT-7 series (2013) and is designed to enhance communication coverage over land and sea.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO scientists, saying India’s space sector “continues to make us proud” and has become “synonymous with excellence and innovation.”
  • Union Minister Jitendra Singh also hailed the mission as a symbol of India’s growing self-reliance in space technology.

This mission marks a key step toward self-sufficiency in heavy satellite launches, which were earlier conducted using Ariane rockets from French Guiana. The LVM3, developed with fully indigenous technology, now enables India to launch heavy payloads from home soil.

The same LVM3 platform, in a human-rated version called HRLV, will be used for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan Mission.