ISRO readies LVM3-M5 for launch of heaviest communication satellite CMS-03

ISRO is set to launch its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03 (also known as GSAT-7R), on November 2 from Sriharikota.

Weighing approximately 4,410 kg, this multi-band military communication satellite will provide critical services across a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass, enhancing the armed forces’ operational capabilities.

Launch vehicle and mission

The launch vehicle LVM3-M5, standing 43.5 metres tall with a lift-off mass of 642 tonnes, will deploy CMS-03 into Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR. This marks the fifth operational flight of the LVM3 launch vehicle.

The previous LVM3 mission launched Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first country to successfully land near the lunar south pole. The launch vehicle has been fully assembled and integrated with the CMS-03 spacecraft, and was moved to the launch pad on October 26, 2025, for final pre-launch operations.

The launch comes at a critical time, as India has been focusing on its self-reliance in defence communication infrastructure, enabling real-time secure connectivity for naval, air force, and army operations across extended maritime and territorial domains.

Published on October 29, 2025