November 1, 2025

Hold your breath, space fans! India is gearing up for a grand rocket show at Sriharikota as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepares to launch CMS-03, the heaviest communication satellite ever from Indian soil. Weighing a whopping 4,410 kilograms, this giant satellite will soar to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) onboard the powerful LVM3-M5 rocket, affectionately called 'Bahubali' because of its muscle in carrying heavy loads. This majestic 43.5-metre tall rocket is no ordinary launch vehicle. It’s the pride of ISRO – the new heavy-lift LVM3, also known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MkIII (GSLV MkIII). With its three stages, including two mighty solid rocket boosters named S200, a liquid core stage (L110), and a super-cool cryogenic stage (C25), it packs the power to send spacecraft up to 4,000 kg into GTO efficiently. The CMS-03 satellite itself is a multi-band wizard designed to boost communication services over the vast Indian landmass and the wide oceanic stretches beyond. ISRO says this mission will extend India's reach in communication like never before. The launch is scheduled for 5:26 pm on November 2, with the LVM3-M5 rocket fully assembled, integrated with CMS-03, and already moved to the second launch pad at the spaceport for final checks and countdown. This fifth flight of the LVM3 rocket follows its stellar performance in launching Chandrayaan-3, where India made history by successfully landing near the Moon’s south pole earlier in 2023. For a bit of perspective, India’s previous heaviest communication satellite, GSAT-11, weighed about 5,854 kg but was launched from French Guiana aboard the Ariane-5 rocket. Now, ISRO shows its growing muscle by launching the heaviest communication satellite entirely from India. The rocket’s solid S200 boosters are crafted at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, while the L110 liquid core turbo engines, called Vikas engines, come from the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. Together, they create a spectacular power show to lift CMS-03 high into space. With every launch, ISRO proves its self-reliance and skyrocketing capabilities. The stage is set for Sunday’s thrilling liftoff – will CMS-03 fly high and open new horizons for the country’s communication network? Stay tuned for the space saga unfolding from India’s very own launching pad!

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Tags: Isro, Lvm3-M5, Cms-03, Communication satellite, Space Launch, Sriharikota,