It was a textbook launch of the Indian Navy's GSAT 7R (CMS-03) communication satellite, which was injected precisely into the intended orbit by Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) launch vehicle LVM3 called Bahubali.
The satellite, indigenously designed and developed, had a lift off exactly at 5.26 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The rocket roared into the sky with a thunderous sound, and hundreds of school children at the viewing gallery applauded as Bahubali picked up pace and soared into the cloudy sky.
CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite, which will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass. CMS-03, weighing about 4,400 kg, will be the heaviest and most advanced communication satellite to be launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from the Indian soil. The satellite will strengthen the Navy's space-based communications and maritime domain awareness capabilities, said ISRO.
PM hails ISRO
The C25 cryogenic stage successfully injected the satellite into orbit. For the first time, it was reoriented and reignited the thrust chamber after the initial burn. On the successful launch, Prime Minister Narendra said in a social media post: "Congratulations ISRO on the successful launch of India's heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03. Powered by our space scientists, it is commendable how our space sector has become synonymous with excellence and innovation. Their successes have furthered national progress and empowered countless lives,"
The LVM3-M5 launch vehicle has successfully injected the CMS-03 communication satellite in the required orbit. The satellite, weighing 4,410 kg, was precisely injected within the specification of the orbit, said ISO Chairman V Narayanan speaking from the Mission Control Centre after the launch.
Narayanan said it was the 103rd launch from Sriharikota, and it was the eighth successful mission of the LVM3 launch vehicle.
The previous LVM3-M4 vehicle launched the Chandrayaan mission, which brought glory to India and becoming the first country to land the spacecraft successfully near the South Pole of the Moon.
"The CMS-03 is the heaviest satellite launched by the LVM3-5 vehicle to the GTO so far. For accomplishing this, the performance of the vehicle had to be improved in multiple directions to enhance the payload capability by 10 per cent. In today's mission, all the vehicle's systems have performed satisfactorily," he said.
Indian Navy officials stated that the satellite will significantly bolster the Navy's space-based communication and maritime domain awareness capabilities. It features several indigenously developed components, tailored to meet the Navy's specific operational requirements.
Its advanced payload carries transponders capable of supporting voice, dat, and video links across multiple communication bands. With its high-capacity bandwidth, the satellite will enable seamless and secure connectivity between ships, aircraft, submarines and Maritime Operations Centres of the Indian Navy, enhancing real-time coordination and operational efficiency, officials said.
Maritime security
In an era marked by evolving maritime security challenges, the satellite underscores the Indian Navy's commitment to safeguarding the nation's maritime interests through the integration of cutting-edge, indigenous technology -- a testament to the vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence and space, the officials said.
Comments
Published on November 2, 2025
READ MORE