Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Nov 2: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch its heaviest satellite onboard an Indian rocket, marking a major milestone in the country’s space programme.
The heavy-lift LVM3-M5 rocket will carry the 4,410 kg CMS-03 communication satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from the spaceport at Sriharikota on Sunday evening. The 24-hour countdown, which began on Saturday, is progressing smoothly, ISRO officials said.
According to the space agency, this will be the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil using a home-grown rocket. The 43.5-metre-tall LVM3-M5, nicknamed ‘Bahubali’ for its powerful lift capability, has been fully assembled and integrated with the spacecraft.
CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite designed to provide coverage across the Indian landmass and adjoining oceanic regions. Though some reports suggest it may have defence applications, ISRO has not made any official comment on that aspect.
The three-stage LVM3 rocket includes two solid boosters (S200), a liquid core stage (L110) powered by Vikas engines, and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). The design enables the vehicle to carry payloads of up to 4,000 kg to GTO and 8,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit.
This will be the fifth operational flight of the LVM3, following its previous successful mission—Chandrayaan-3—which made India the first country to land near the lunar South Pole in 2023.
With this launch, ISRO further strengthens its self-reliance in deploying heavy communication satellites from Indian soil, a capability earlier dependent on foreign launch vehicles.
