The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to achieve another significant milestone with the scheduled launch of the Communication Satellite-03 (CMS-03) on November 2, 2025. This mission is particularly noteworthy as CMS-03, weighing approximately 4,400 kilograms, is the heaviest communication satellite to be launched by India from its own soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
Key Mission Details
| Aspect | Detail |
| Satellite Name | CMS-03 (also referred to as GSAT-7R) |
| Launch Date | November 2, 2025 (scheduled lift-off at 5:26 PM IST) |
| Launch Vehicle | LVM3-M5 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), in its fifth operational flight. Nicknamed 'Bahubali'. |
| Launch Site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh |
| Weight | Approximately 4,400 kg (Heaviest communication satellite launched from Indian soil to GTO) |
| Orbit | Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) |
📡 Purpose and Capabilities of CMS-03
CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite with both strategic and civilian applications. Its primary objective is to provide robust and enhanced communication services over a wide oceanic region, including the entire Indian landmass and adjacent maritime zones.
Strategic Communication: The satellite, which will replace the aging GSAT-7 (Rukmini), is designed to significantly boost the Indian Navy's satellite-linked communication network. It will provide secure, multi-band communication links between warships, submarines, aircraft, and shore-based command centers across the Indian Ocean Region. This improved connectivity is vital for India's growing blue-water operations and strengthens the nation's network-centric warfare capabilities.
Civilian and Maritime Services: The satellite's multi-band transponders—including UHF, S, C, and Ku bands—will enhance bandwidth capacity and signal clarity for civilian digital services in remote and underserved areas. It will also improve maritime connectivity, which is essential for India's blue economy and disaster response capabilities across coastal regions.
Payload: The satellite is equipped with transponders capable of supporting voice, data, and video links across C, extended C, and Ku communication bands, allowing for high-fidelity, high-throughput service.
🚀 The Launch Vehicle: LVM3
The launch vehicle for this mission is the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), which is India's most powerful operational heavy-lift rocket.
Heavy-Lift Capability: The LVM3 is a three-stage vehicle that gives ISRO full self-reliance in launching communication satellites weighing up to 4,000 kg into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), and up to 8,000 kg for Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Previous Success: The LVM3 successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission in July 2023, which resulted in India becoming the first country to achieve a soft landing near the lunar south pole.
Vehicle Configuration: The rocket features two solid motor strap-ons (S200), a liquid propellant core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).
The successful deployment of CMS-03 by the LVM3-M5 mission will mark a major technological step for ISRO, confirming its indigenous capability to launch heavy-duty satellites for national security and advanced communication infrastructure.