New Delhi: In a major milestone for India’s space programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday successfully launched its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, aboard the LVM3-M5 (‘Bahubali’) rocket from Sriharikota.

A Monumental Achievement for India’s Space Sector

The successful mission has been hailed by experts as a “monumental achievement”, reaffirming India’s growing strength in launching heavy-payload satellites for strategic and communication purposes.

Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhatt (Retd.), Director General of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), described the launch as a defining moment for India’s space capabilities.

“The successful launch of the CMS-03 satellite by the LVM3 rocket is a monumental achievement for India, powerfully demonstrating our sovereign capability in launching heavy-payload satellites for strategic applications,” Bhatt said.

Strategic and Security Significance

Bhatt noted that CMS-03 will be a game-changer for maritime and national security, offering advanced and secure communication networks across the Indian Ocean Region and the mainland.
He added that the success strengthens India’s strategic autonomy and underscores the increasing role of the private sector in national space endeavours.

“The launch by ISRO signals a vibrant future for private sector participation and reinforces India’s position as a formidable space power,” he said.

Flawless Mission Sequence

The LVM3-M5 rocket, formerly known as GSLV Mk-3, successfully lifted off with the CMS-03 and placed it precisely into its intended orbit.
ISRO’s Deputy Project Director of the SSLV Launch Complex, P. Madhuri, confirmed the satellite’s successful deployment:

“The satellite has been delivered to its intended orbit.”

The 43-metre-tall LVM3 is India’s most powerful launch vehicle, using a combination of solid, liquid, and cryogenic engines. It can carry payloads of up to 8,000 kg to low-earth orbit and 4,000 kg to geosynchronous orbit.

The rocket’s three-stage configuration — S200 solid boosters, L110 liquid stage, and C25 cryogenic upper stage — executed a flawless sequence, achieving a velocity of 4.6 km per second before orbit circularisation.

A New Chapter in India’s Space Journey

The CMS-03 mission marks a new chapter in India’s space exploration, highlighting the nation’s self-reliance in developing and deploying advanced communication and security satellites.

With this success, India reinforces its status as a global space power and sets the stage for greater collaboration between ISRO and the private space ecosystem.