X account @isro
ISRO Launches Heaviest Communication Satellite, CMS-03
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its communication satellite CMS‑03—also known as GSAT-7R—on 2 November 2025 at 17:26 IST from the Second Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The satellite, weighing about 4,410 kg, was placed into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), making it the heaviest communication satellite India has launched from its own soil.
Mission Details
The satellite was carried by the three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM3‑M5 (also called “Bahubali”), marking the vehicle’s latest operational flight. CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite designed to operate across C, extended-C, Ku and UHF bands, providing secure voice, data and video links over the Indian landmass and surrounding oceanic regions. The mission will bolster maritime communication capabilities, particularly for the Indian Navy, and significantly increase India’s independent space-based communication infrastructure.
Strategic Significance
According to ISRO, the success of the mission highlights India’s growing self-sufficiency in heavy-lift launches and space communications. The inclusion of advanced multi-band payloads enhances the reach and resilience of India’s oceanic communication grids, allowing real-time connectivity for naval assets, aircraft and shore-based units. With this launch, ISRO continues to pave the way for more ambitious missions in its national space programme.
Future Outlook
CMS-03’s placement in GTO is a key step; the satellite will execute orbit-raising manoeuvres to move into its final geostationary slot. Once fully operational, it will support a range of civilian and defence applications including maritime surveillance, secure communications and disaster-response support over large oceanic zones. This launch reaffirms India’s space-launch capabilities and strengthens the country’s strategic communications infrastructure.ISRO’s LVM3-M5 launches the 4.4 tonne CMS-03 communication satellite.
