India’s heaviest communication satellite CMS-03, launched successfully aboard ISRO’s ‘Bahubali’ LVM3-M5 rocket, will enhance the Indian Navy’s maritime communication and connectivity across the Indian Ocean Region, marking a new milestone in India’s self-reliant space journey.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched CMS-03, the country’s heaviest communication satellite, aboard the powerful LVM3-M5 ‘Bahubali’ rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Sunday. The launch marks a significant leap in India’s pursuit of technological self-reliance and enhanced maritime communication capabilities.
The CMS-03, also known as GSAT-7R, has been designed specifically to bolster the Indian Navy’s communication infrastructure and strengthen maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Weighing approximately 4,400 kilograms, the satellite carries advanced indigenous payloads to ensure secure, high-bandwidth communication between naval platforms and command centres.
Ministers Congratulate ISRO for the Historic Launch
Soon after the successful lift-off, senior Union Ministers extended their heartfelt congratulations to ISRO and the nation’s scientists for this extraordinary achievement.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman praised ISRO for “crossing several milestones” and wished the space agency “many more achievements ahead.”
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia called the launch “a shining example of how innovation, dedication, and vision continue to propel Bharat’s space sector to greater heights.” Posting on X, he said, “Heartiest congratulations to @ISRO and our brilliant scientists on the successful launch of CMS-03, India’s heaviest communication satellite. This mission strengthens national progress and touches countless lives.”
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, describing the mission as a testimony to India’s rising space ambitions, remarked, “The LVM3-M5 rocket, fondly called ‘Bahubali’, is carrying the CMS-03 communication satellite — the heaviest ever launched from Indian soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). ISRO continues to script one success after another.” He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his government’s unwavering support to the space sector.
ISRO Chairman Lauds Team Effort
ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan expressed pride in the organisation’s latest achievement, saying, “ISRO has successfully launched the heaviest GEO communication satellite from Indian soil. The Indian space sector is soaring high, providing valuable services to the user community in and around the Indian region.”
The successful mission, Dr. Narayanan added, is a “testament to India’s growing capability to design, develop, and deploy complex space assets independently.”
CMS-03: Strengthening India’s Maritime Communications
The CMS-03/GSAT-7R is the most advanced communication satellite built for the Indian Navy to date. Once operational, it will provide seamless, secure, and high-capacity communication links between ships, submarines, aircraft, and Maritime Operations Centres, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even in adverse conditions.
The satellite’s multi-band transponders—covering C, extended C, and Ku bands—will support voice, data, and video communication across vast oceanic regions. It will also enable real-time information sharing for strategic operations, significantly enhancing the Navy’s situational awareness and operational efficiency.
According to ISRO, the CMS-03 is “a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass.” Its successful deployment underscores India’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) by relying on indigenous technologies for mission-critical defense communication infrastructure.
LVM3-M5: The ‘Bahubali’ of Indian Rockets
The LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), nicknamed ‘Bahubali’ for its immense power, is India’s heaviest launch vehicle. Capable of carrying payloads up to 4,000 kilograms, it has previously launched Chandrayaan-3, India’s historic lunar mission that made the nation the first to land near the Moon’s south pole.
The LVM3-M5 mission represents its fifth operational flight, demonstrating exceptional reliability in deploying heavy communication satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). ISRO confirmed that the CMS-03 achieved “perfect injection” into its designated orbit.
The GSAT-7R will now succeed GSAT-7 ‘Rukmini’, launched in 2013, with major upgrades in payload and coverage capabilities. The Ministry of Defence stated that the new satellite “will expand secure, multi-band communications for the Navy and strengthen its operational reach across critical maritime domains.”
India’s Space Future: A Rising Global Power
The successful launch of CMS-03 marks another proud moment for India’s rapidly advancing space programme. With a string of recent triumphs, including Chandrayaan-3 and the Aditya-L1 solar mission, India continues to consolidate its position as a leading global player in space technology.
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As the nation’s heaviest and most capable communication satellite enters service, India reinforces its strategic autonomy, technological innovation, and commitment to securing its maritime and national interests through space-based capabilities.
