Watch | ISRO launches 'Bahubali' LVM3-M5 rocket with heaviest communication satellite ever from Indian soil

'Bahubali' as it is being popularly referred, LVM3-M5 rocket is carrying the CMS-03 communication satellite (Image: Screengrab | X/@DrJitendraSingh)

In a historic moment, India launched is heaviest communication satellite from its soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) on Sunday from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

This launch marks another stride in the country’s push to build self-reliant, high-capability space infrastructure.

Upon successful launch, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) posted on X, "LVM3-M5/CMS-03 Mission Update: CMS-03 separated successfully. Perfect injection."

ISRO said LVM3-M5 rocket is carrying the CMS-03 communication satellite which is heaviest ever to be launched from the Indian soil into a GTO.

Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh hailed the launch and congratulated the ISRO scientists.

"Kudos Team #ISRO! India’s #Bahubali scales the skies, with the successful launch of #LVM3M5 Mission! “Bahubali” as it is being popularly referred, LVM3-M5 rocket is carrying the CMS-03 communication satellite, the heaviest ever to be launched from the Indian soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). ISRO continues to script one success after another… Thanks PM Sh @narendramodi for the unflinching government support," he posted on X.

Kudos Team #ISRO!

India’s #Bahubali scales the skies, with the successful launch of #LVM3M5 Mission!

“Bahubali” as it is being popularly referred, LVM3-M5 rocket is carrying the CMS-03 communication satellite, the heaviest ever to be launched from the Indian soil into a… pic.twitter.com/ccyIPUxpIX

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— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) November 2, 2025

The heavy-weight: CMS-03 weighs in at about 4,410 kg, making it the heaviest communications satellite ever India has launched from Indian soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Multi-band, multi-mission: This is not just another satellite. CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite designed to serve wide oceanic zones around the Indian landmass, far beyond terrestrial shores.

VIDEO | Sriharikota: CMS-03 separated successfully under ISRO LVM3-M5/CMS-03 Mission.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/sMjioeWfer

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 2, 2025

In strategic terms, the satellite will bolster naval, air and sea-based communication networks. Its role is especially critical for the Indian Navy – linking warships, aircraft and remote maritime assets with uninterrupted connectivity.

The vehicle used is the LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) in its M5 version – also called GSLV Mk III. It features:

-- Two large S200 solid rocket strap-ons for liftoff thrust.

-- A liquid-propellant core stage (L110) powered by Vikas engines.

-- A third, cryogenic upper stage (C25) using indigenised tech.

This three-stage architecture gives ISRO the muscle to launch 4,000 kg-class satellites into GTO, and up to 8,000 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

LVM3 has a clean track record, including the major Chandrayaan‑3 mission that landed near the lunar south pole in 2023. For this mission, the fully assembled rocket with CMS-03 onboard was rolled out to the pad on 26 October and moved into pre-launch operations.