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India's Heaviest Satellite Launch: Navy's CMS-03 Countdown Begins at Sriharikota

The countdown has officially begun for India's heaviest communication satellite launch. ISRO is preparing to launch the CMS-03 satellite from Sriharikota at 5:26 pm today. This 4,400 kg satellite will significantly boost the Indian Navy's maritime communication capabilities. The launch uses the same LVM3 vehicle that successfully carried the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the moon.

Key Points: ISRO Countdown for Indian Navy CMS-03 Communication Satellite Launch

  • India's heaviest communication satellite weighing approximately 4,400 kg
  • Enhances Navy's space-based communications and maritime domain awareness
  • Launch scheduled from Sriharikota at 5:26 pm using LVM3 vehicle
  • Features indigenous state-of-the-art components for naval operations
  • Multi-band satellite to provide services over wide oceanic regions
  • Fifth operational flight for LVM3 that launched Chandrayaan-3 mission
2 min read

Countdown begins for India's heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 launch

ISRO begins countdown for India's heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 launch from Sriharikota, enhancing Navy's maritime communication capabilities with indigenous technology.

"Countdown continuing for #LVM3M5. Systems nominal. Weather favourable. Launch at 17:26 IST - ISRO"

Sriharikota, November 2

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday began the countdown to launch the Indian Navy's GSAT 7R (CMS-03) communication satellite. The indigenously developed satellite is India's heaviest communication satellite to date, weighing around 4,400 kg.

The launch will take place from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh at 5:26 pm.

"Countdown continuing for #LVM3M5. Systems nominal. Weather favourable. Launch at 17:26 IST," the ISRO wrote on X.

https://x.com/isro/status/1984944333297164550

The satellite would enhance the Navy's space-based communications and maritime domain awareness capabilities with indigenous, state-of-the-art components developed specifically to meet the Indian Navy's operational requirements.

"This satellite is India's heaviest communication satellite to date, weighing approximately more than 4,400 kg, and includes many indigenous state-of-the-art components developed specifically to meet the Indian Navy's operational requirements," the Indian Navy said.

CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass, according to ISRO.

The satellite will be launched by the famous LVM3 launch vehicle, which successfully landed India on the lunar South Pole in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. This will be the vehicle's fifth operational flight.

"CMS-03, weighing about 4400kg, will be the heaviest communication satellite to be launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil. The previous mission of LVM3 launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission, in which India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole," ISRO said in a statement.

The launch vehicle was assembled earlier and has been on the launch pad since October 26 for pre-launch operations.

The LVM3-M5 launch had eight sequences, with the CMS-03 being separated from the vehicle at an altitude of approximately 179 kilometres at a velocity of around 10 km per second.

The launch vehicle has a height of 43.5 meters, with a total liftoff mass of 642 tonnes. The vehicle uses three stages of propellants to enable the satellite to reach the Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
This is crucial for our Navy's capabilities. With increasing maritime security challenges, having indigenous communication satellites will give us strategic advantage. Well done ISRO and Indian Navy!
A
Aditya G
LVM3 proving its reliability again! Same vehicle that took us to Moon's south pole now launching our heaviest satellite. This shows the robustness of our space program. Counting down to 5:26 PM! 🚀
S
Sarah B
While I appreciate the technological achievement, I hope we're also investing adequately in basic infrastructure and education. Space missions are important, but let's not forget ground realities.
K
Karthik V
The indigenous development aspect is what makes me most proud. We're not dependent on other countries for critical defense communication systems. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
M
Michael C
Impressive engineering! 4400 kg to GTO is no small feat. The LVM3 has become a workhorse for India's space ambitions. Looking forward to watching the launch live.
N
Neha E
Maritime domain awareness is so important for a country with such a long coastline. This satellite will help secure our waters better. Good strategic move! 👏

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