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Last Updated:November 02, 2025, 17:30 IST
ISRO launched its heaviest communication satellite, weighing 4,410 kg, aboard the 'Bahubali' LVM3-M5 rocket from its spaceport in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.
ISRO's communication satellite CMS-03 to be launched on Sunday.
In a milestone for India’s space sector, the Indian Space and Research Station (ISRO) launched its heaviest satellite onboard an Indian rocket, dubbed as ‘Bahubali’, at 5:26 pm on Sunday.
ISRO launched its CMS-03 communication satellite, weighing 4,410 kg, to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) onboard the 43.5-metre-tall LVM3-M5 rocket, known as ‘Bahubali’ for its heavy-lift capability.
This is the heaviest satellite to be launched from Indian soil and into a GTO, according to the space agency. This is also ISRO’s heaviest satellite to be launched using a home-made rocket.
When Will It Be Launched?
In an earlier social media update, ISRO said, “Launch Day for LVM3M5. India’s heavy-lift rocket (to) launch CMS03 today at 17.26 (5:26 pm) hrs." The 24-hour countdown began on Saturday. LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) is the new heavy lift launch vehicle of ISRO and is used for placing 4,000 kg spacecraft in the GTO in a cost-effective manner, the agency said.
The Bengaluru-headquartered space agency has been utilising launch vehicles provided by France-headquartered Arianespace for launching over 4,000 kg heavy satellites from French Guiana. This would mark the heaviest satellite launched from Indian soil.
What Is Special About CMS-03?
The mission objective for Sunday’s launch is that the CMS-03 will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass, according to ISRO. Reports suggest that the satellite’s applications include military surveillance, although ISRO has not commented on that matter.
However, the CMS-03 satellite is expected to enhance India’s telecommunication capabilities, strengthen the country’s communication network, and play a crucial role in providing internet and broadcasting services to remote areas. The launch is significant not only on a technical level but also as a demonstration of India’s self-reliant space capabilities.
About LVM-3
LVM-3, previously known as Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (GSLV Mk 3), isa three-stage launch vehicle includes two solid motor strap-ons (S200), a liquid propellant core stage (L110), and a cryogenic stage (C25), granting ISRO complete self-reliance in launching heavier communication satellites up to 4,000 kg in GTO and 8,000 in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The previous mission of the LVM-3 rocket was the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, in which India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar South Pole in 2023. This rocket was used in 2022, amid the Russia-Ukraine war, to launch 72 OneWeb satellites in two launches to LEO, when global launch options were limited.
Previously, ISRO launched its heaviest communication satellite, GSAT-11, on December 5, 2018, from the Kourou launch base in French Guiana using the Ariane-5 VA-246 rocket. GSAT-11 weighs about 5,854 kg and remains the heaviest satellite built by ISRO.
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...
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Location :
Andhra Pradesh, India, India
First Published:
November 02, 2025, 17:27 IST
News india ISRO Launches Its Heaviest Communication Satellite Onboard 'Bahubali' Indian Rocket
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