ISRO has launched CMS-03, India’s heaviest satellite at 4,410 kg, aboard the LVM3 rocket from Sriharikota, achieving a major space milestone.
SRIHARIKOTA: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched CMS-03, its heaviest satellite to date, marking a historic moment in India’s space journey. The 4,410 kg communication satellite lifted off aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on 2 November 2025.
The mission marks the first time ISRO has placed a satellite over 4,000 kg into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) using an Indian launcher. Previously, such heavy satellites were launched using foreign rockets such as those operated by Arianespace or SpaceX. This success demonstrates a significant leap in India’s space self-reliance and payload capacity.
CMS-03, also known as GSAT-7R, is a next-generation multi-band communication satellite intended to support strategic communication needs, including for maritime applications. Its successful deployment is expected to enhance the nation’s communication infrastructure and services across the Indian landmass and surrounding oceans.
The LVM3 rocket, ISRO’s most powerful launcher, performed flawlessly during the mission. It had earlier played a critical role in Chandrayaan-2 and the OneWeb missions. With CMS-03, the LVM3 has reinforced its status as India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle for key strategic missions.
ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan hailed the launch as a milestone, noting it paves the way for more ambitious missions including human spaceflight and advanced satellite networks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team and stated, “Our space sector continues to make us proud.”
The success of CMS-03 aligns with India’s broader goal of becoming a key global space player while advancing domestic capabilities across satellite technology, launch systems, and deep space exploration.
