ISRO to Launch India’s Heaviest Military Communication Satellite CMS-03 on November 2

New Delhi, Oct 2025 : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch the country’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, on Sunday, November 2, marking another milestone in India’s space and defence communications capabilities.

The CMS-03, also known as GSAT-7R, is a multi-band military communication satellite designed primarily for the Indian Navy. It will be launched aboard the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) — India’s most powerful operational rocket — from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

According to ISRO, “CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass.” The space agency added that at 4,400 kg, it will be the heaviest communication satellite launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil.

The LVM3, capable of carrying payloads up to 4,000 kg, has been instrumental in several major missions, including Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first country to achieve a soft landing near the lunar south pole. The upcoming LVM3-M5 mission marks the rocket’s fifth operational flight.

ISRO confirmed that the launch vehicle has been fully assembled, integrated with the CMS-03 spacecraft, and moved to the launch pad on October 26 for pre-launch checks and final operations.

The GSAT-7R will replace the GSAT-7 ‘Rukmini’, which has been serving the Indian Navy since 2013. The new satellite will enhance secure, multi-band communication links and extend the Navy’s operational reach across the Indian Ocean and other maritime zones of interest.

Equipped with C, extended C, and Ku-band transponders, CMS-03 will provide improved voice, data, and video communications. The satellite will also expand high-capacity bandwidth, strengthening digital connectivity for remote coastal and island territories, while also supporting civilian and strategic applications.

In addition to CMS-03, ISRO is preparing for another major launch later this year. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan announced that the 6.5-tonne BlueBird-6 communication satellite is also scheduled for launch before year-end.

“BlueBird is a communication satellite. We have received the satellite, and launch vehicle integration is underway,” Dr. Narayanan said during a media briefing for ESTIC-2025, adding that the Prime Minister will announce the launch date at an appropriate time.

Developed by US-based AST SpaceMobile, the Block 2 BlueBird-6 will also be launched on an LVM3 rocket from Sriharikota, reinforcing India’s growing role as a global hub for commercial and defence space missions.