ISRO Launches Its Heaviest Satellite CMS-03 Today: A Giant Leap for India’s Space Power

Another proud moment for all Indians!

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its heaviest-ever communication satellite, CMS-03, this evening from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. ISRO has used its powerful LVM3-M5 rocket for this launch.

This is indeed a historic moment, as it is the first time India has placed a 4,400 kg satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) entirely from Indian soil.

The mission highlights India’s growing self-reliance in space technology. At the same it also strengthens its position among the world’s top space powers.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the successful launch of CMS-03 on X,–

“CMS-03 separated successfully. Perfect injection.”

The Launch Schedule and Where to Watch It Live

The LVM3-M5 mission lifted off from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 5:26 PM IST. It’s live telecast on ISRO’s official YouTube channel  started from 4:56 PM, which also featured pre-launch coverage and countdown updates.

What Is CMS-03 and Why Does It Matter

The CMS-03 satellite is a multiband communication satellite with a weight of 4,410 kg. It is designed to provide advanced communication services across the Indian subcontinent and surrounding oceanic regions.

It has been placed in a transfer orbit of about 29,970 km x 170 km, and once it is positioned, it will strengthen India’s communications, defence, and maritime capabilities.

This mission is a historic one as India has launched such a heavy satellite from its own soil for the first time. Such tasks were previously handled by international space agencies.

The Powerhouse Rocket — LVM3 “Bahubali”

Nicknamed “Bahubali” for its strength, the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) — earlier known as GSLV Mk-3 — is ISRO’s most powerful launch vehicle.

It can lift 8,000 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO) and up to 4,000 kg into geosynchronous orbit (GTO). The LVM3-M5 mission marks its fifth operational flight, and it follows the same rocket that launched Chandrayaan-3 — India’s historic lunar mission in 2023.

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Key Statistics

The LVM3-M5 rocket stands 43.5 meters tall and has a total mass of 642 tonnes.
It is a three-stage heavy-lift launcher, with each stage using a different type of fuel to propel the satellite beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

• Stage 1 – S200 Solid Boosters
• Fuel: Solid (HTPB)
• Length: 26.22 meters
• Propellant Mass: 204.5 tonnes
• Stage 2 – L110 Core Stage
• Fuel: Liquid (UH25 + N₂O₄)
• Length: 21.4 meters
• Propellant Mass: 115.9 tonnes
• Stage 3 – C25 Cryogenic Stage
• Fuel: Cryogenic (Liquid Hydrogen + Liquid Oxygen)
• Length: 13.5 meters
• Propellant Mass: 28.6 tonnes

In simple terms, the LVM3-M5 is a powerful three-stage rocket built to lift heavy payloads into space using solid, liquid, and cryogenic fuels.

Why CMS-03 Is a Milestone for India

ISRO’s CMS-03 mission signifies India’s space capability. The mission aims to provide secure, high-bandwidth communication coverage over India and the surrounding oceanic region.

More importantly, a modified version of this same LVM3 rocket will soon carry Indian astronauts into space under the Gaganyaan mission, making this flight a crucial step toward India’s first human spaceflight.

Building on Success — The Legacy of LVM3

The LVM3 rocket was previously used in Chandrayaan-3 in 2023. Since its first flight in 2014, the LVM3 has achieved seven consecutive successful missions, showcasing its reliability and the power of indigenous innovation.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on information released by ISRO and other verified public sources as of November 2, 2025. Details such as mission status and timings are subject to change based on weather and technical conditions. This content is for informational and educational purposes only.