In a significant milestone for India’s space programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its heaviest-ever communication satellite, CMS-03, aboard its indigenously built LVM3-M5 rocket, popularly known as ‘Bahubali’, at 5:26 pm on Sunday.
Heaviest Satellite Launched From Indian Soil
The CMS-03 satellite, weighing 4,410 kilograms, was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. According to ISRO, this marks the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil using a fully indigenous rocket system.
The launch also represents a major step in India’s efforts to achieve complete self-reliance in deploying large satellites without depending on foreign launch agencies.
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Mission Objectives and Significance
CMS-03 is designed to enhance India’s telecommunication and broadcasting capabilities, providing improved internet connectivity and communication coverage, especially in remote regions.
The satellite will also serve a strategic role, with reports suggesting its potential applications in defence and surveillance, although ISRO has not made any official comment on this aspect.
ISRO stated that the CMS-03 satellite will provide services over a wide oceanic and continental region, including the entire Indian subcontinent.
About the ‘Bahubali’ LVM3 Rocket
The Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), nicknamed ‘Bahubali’ for its heavy-lift capacity, is a three-stage rocket comprising two solid strap-ons (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).
It is capable of carrying 4,000 kg payloads to GTO and up to 8,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
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LVM3 has been at the forefront of India’s major space achievements, including the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, which made India the first country to land near the lunar south pole in 2023. It was also used in 2022 to successfully deploy 72 OneWeb satellites in two launches amid global launch constraints.
Historic Step Toward Self-Reliant Space Power
Before this, ISRO had launched its heaviest communication satellite, GSAT-11 (5,854 kg), aboard the French Ariane-5 VA-246 rocket in December 2018 from French Guiana.
The successful CMS-03 launch from Indian soil marks a turning point in India’s space autonomy, reaffirming its capability to launch heavy satellites independently.
