Marking another milestone in India’s space journey, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday successfully launched its heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 aboard the LVM3-M5 heavy-lift rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
At precisely 5:26 pm, the 43.5-metre-tall launch vehicle thundered into the evening sky, painting it orange with fiery exhaust trails as it lifted off from the second launch pad after a smooth 24-hour countdown. The mission represents a major leap in India’s satellite communication capabilities, carrying the heaviest payload ever launched into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by an Indian-built rocket.
According to ISRO, the CMS-03 satellite separated successfully from the launch vehicle approximately 16–20 minutes after liftoff at an altitude of around 180 km.
Designed as a multi-band communication satellite, CMS-03 will provide advanced communication and data services across a vast oceanic expanse, including the entire Indian subcontinent. The satellite is equipped to enhance telecommunication, broadband connectivity, and digital communication networks for both civilian and strategic applications.
This achievement marks a significant step toward ISRO’s goal of self-reliance in launching heavier payloads. Until recently, the agency depended on the Kourou launch base in French Guiana for such missions. Notably, ISRO’s GSAT-11, launched in December 2018 from French Guiana, remains one of its heaviest satellites at 5,854 kg.
The successful launch of CMS-03 underscores India’s growing technological prowess in the global space arena and strengthens its position as a competitive player in satellite communication and heavy-lift launch capabilities.
