New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch the country’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03 (GSAT-7R), on November 2 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
CMS-03, weighing around 4,400 kg, is a multi-band military communication satellite designed to strengthen India’s naval communication network. The satellite will be launched aboard Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3-M5) — India’s most powerful rocket, capable of carrying up to 4,000 kg to space.
“CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass,” ISRO said.
“CMS-03 will be the heaviest communication satellite to be launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil,” it added.
The GSAT-7R will replace GSAT-7 Rukmini, launched in 2013, and is designed to offer secure, multi-band communication links for the Indian Navy. With advanced payloads and higher bandwidth, it will enhance voice, data, and video connectivity across C, extended C, and Ku bands. The new satellite will not only expand India’s naval communication capacity but also improve digital access in remote areas and support strategic applications.
The LVM3-M5 marks the rocket’s fifth operational mission, following its success in launching Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first country to land near the lunar south pole.
According to ISRO, the launch vehicle and spacecraft integration were completed and moved to the launch pad on October 26 for final pre-launch operations.
In related developments, ISRO chairman Dr. V. Narayanan confirmed that the agency is also preparing to launch the 6.5-tonne BlueBird-6 communications satellite by year-end. Developed by US-based AST SpaceMobile, the Block 2 BlueBird will also be launched on board an LVM3 rocket from Sriharikota.
“Blue Bird is a communication satellite. We have received it and are working for the launch. The date will be announced by the Prime Minister at the appropriate time,” Narayanan said, adding that ISRO aims to complete the mission before the end of the year.
ISRO To Launch India’s Heaviest Communication Satellite CMS-03 On Nov 2
