ISRO to launch its heaviest satellite CMS-03 today: 6 things you need to know

2. What is the CMS-03 satellite?

CMS-03 is a multiband communication satellite, weighing 4,410 kg will be the heaviest satellite to be launched to Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil.  It will be placed in a transfer orbit of around 29,970 km x 170 km from the surface of the Earth.

This is the first time that India will send such a heavy satellite into space.

Earlier, ISRO had to contract out the launch of its heavier satellites to private space agencies in other countries. The satellite will travel on board an LVM3 rocket, dubbed ‘Bahubali’ for its heavy-lift capability.

3. What is LVM3?

LVM3, earlier referred to as the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (GSLV Mk 3), is the operational heavy lift Launch Vehicle of ISRO and has completed seven consecutive successful missions.

It uses solid, liquid, as well as cryogenic-fuel-based engines to put up to 8,000 kg in low Earth orbit (up to an altitude of 2,000 km from Earth’s surface) and up to 4,000 kg in geosynchronous orbit (about 36,000 km).

LVM3-M5 is the fifth Operational Flight of launch vehicle  LVM3.

LVM3-M5 Vehicle characteristics: 

Vehicle Height: 43.5 m
Lift off Mass: 642 t

4. What are the three Stages of the LVM3-M5 Rocket

The LVM3-M5 is a three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle, each stage using a different type of fuel and playing a specific role in taking the satellite from Earth to space.

1. Strap-On Boosters (S200 Stage)

Fuel Type: Solid propellant (HTPB)

Length: 26.22 metres | Diameter: 3.2 metres

Propellant Mass: 204.5 tonnes

2. Core Stage (L110 Stage)

Fuel Type: Liquid propellant (UH25 + N₂O₄)

Length: 21.4 metres | Diameter: 4.0 metres

Propellant Mass: 115.9 tonnes

3. Upper Stage (C25 Cryogenic Stage)

Fuel Type: Cryogenic propellant (Liquid Hydrogen + Liquid Oxygen)

Length: 13.5 metres | Diameter: 4.0 metres

Propellant Mass: 28.6 tonnes

5. Why is it significant?

Sunday’s mission objective is for CMS-03 to provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass, ISRO said.

It is also a significant moment for India, as a modified version of the LVM3 rocket will be used under the Gaganyaan mission to put humans in space.

6. Was the previous LVM3 mission successful?

The previous LVM3 mission was the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, during which India became the first country to successfully land near the lunar South Pole in 2023, according to ISRO.