LVM-3, set to launch Saturday for Navy on November 2, moves to launchpad

BENGALURU: Isro Sunday moved the LVM-3 launch vehicle slated to launch the CMS-03 or Gsat-7R satellite meant for the Indian Navy, to the launchpad in Sriharikota.The satellite, which was initially expected to be launched in late 2024 was delayed.

Utilising multiple bands to transmit voice, video and data between naval ships, submarines and aircraft, the satellite is expected to boost India’s maritime defence capabilities.

In its fifth operational flight, the rocket will lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) carrying the 4,400kg satellite, making it the heaviest communication satellite to be launched to the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil. “CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass. The previous mission of LVM3 launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which eventually saw India become the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole,” Isro said.With the LVM-3 on the launchpad, Isro has commenced pre-launch operations for the mission, whose launch was being watched closed in the last couple of days owing to predictions of a cyclone.

“The direction of the cyclone has changed and we are now good to go for a Nov 2 launch,” a source said. TOI had reported last week that Isro was looking at a Nov 2 second launch. Following the launch of CMS-03, Isro will carry out another LVM-3 mission which will launch US private communication satellite Bluebird. “We are looking at the first week of Dec,” Narayanan had told TOI in a separate interview.