SRIHARIKOTA: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today successfully launched the country’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, aboard its LVM3-M5 rocket from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, at 5:26 pm.
The mission marks the fifth operational flight of India’s most powerful launch vehicle, the LVM3, often referred to as the “Baahubali” of Indian rockets.
Weighing around 641 tonnes at lift-off and standing 43.5 metres tall, the rocket soared into a clear evening sky, carrying the 4,410-kg CMS-03 satellite to its Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) with an apogee of about 29,970 km and a perigee of 170 km.
Following a precise 16-minute flight sequence, the CMS-03 spacecraft separated successfully from the rocket’s upper cryogenic stage (C25) at an altitude of 179.8 km.
“This launch once again demonstrates the reliability and maturity of the LVM3 vehicle. And, for this launch, the rocket has been modified to expand its carrying capacity by 10%. Also, a first-of-its-kind experiment of reigniting the cryogenic engine (C-25) was carried out which will help us launch multiple satellites in a single mission in future,” said an ISRO chairman V Narayanan.
The CMS-03 satellite is a next-generation multi-band communication satellite designed to provide extended coverage over the Indian mainland and surrounding oceanic regions. It will support a broad range of services, including secure government communications, maritime connectivity, and disaster management applications.
Built to replace the ageing GSAT series satellites, CMS-03 is equipped to deliver high-throughput capacity and enhance telecommunication and broadcasting services across remote and underserved regions.
It represents India’s continued investment in digital infrastructure from space, complementing terrestrial networks and enabling future 5G and maritime applications.
With this mission, LVM3 extends its record of eight consecutive successful flights, further solidifying its status as India’s workhorse for heavy payloads and potential future Gaganyaan crew missions.
“This launch strengthens India’s position as a reliable satellite launch provider and enhances our communication capacity over strategic regions,” said another senior ISRO official, calling it “a major step forward in digital connectivity and space-based infrastructure.”
As the satellite begins its orbit-raising manoeuvres in the coming days, ISRO scientists at the Mission Control Centre in Bengaluru will take over operations to position CMS-03 into its final geo-stationary orbit.
