India Set to Launch Its Heaviest Communication Satellite CMS-03 on Sunday

New Delhi — The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch CMS-03, the country’s heaviest communication satellite, on Sunday, November 2, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

Also known as GSAT-7R, the CMS-03 is a multi-band military communication satellite designed to significantly enhance India’s defense and maritime communication capabilities. It will be launched aboard the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) — India’s most powerful rocket.

According to ISRO, “CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass.” Weighing around 4,400 kilograms, it will be the heaviest communication satellite ever launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil.

The LVM3 rocket, capable of carrying payloads of up to 4,000 kg, has an impressive track record — having launched historic missions such as Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first nation to land successfully near the Moon’s south pole. The upcoming flight, designated LVM3-M5, marks its fifth operational mission.

ISRO confirmed that the launch vehicle and satellite integration was completed on October 26, and the system has already been moved to the launch pad for final pre-launch operations.

The GSAT-7R (CMS-03) will succeed GSAT-7 Rukmini, launched in 2013, and is designed exclusively for the Indian Navy. Equipped with upgraded payloads, it will expand secure, multi-band communications across the Indian Ocean region, boosting the Navy’s operational range and strengthening real-time connectivity across strategic maritime zones.

The CMS-03 payload carries transponders supporting voice, data, and video links over C, extended C, and Ku bands, enabling higher bandwidth capacity and enhanced digital access to remote territories — aiding both defense and civilian applications.

In related developments, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan also announced that the 6.5-tonne BlueBird-6 communication satellite, developed by AST SpaceMobile (USA), is slated for launch before the end of the year aboard another LVM3 rocket.

“We have received the BlueBird satellite and are preparing the launch vehicle. The date will be announced by the Prime Minister at the appropriate time,” Narayanan told IANS during the ESTIC-2025 media briefing.

With inputs from IANS