ISRO sends its record-breaking military satellite into orbit with rocket LVM3

CMS-03 satellite, India's heaviest military communications satellite (Image: ISRO)

India’s space agency, ISRO, will launch its heaviest military communications satellite. The CMS-03 satellite will be launched from Srihari Kota. The event will take place on 2 November 2025 at 5:26 pm IST. The mission includes powerful LVM3-M5 rocket which is India’s most advanced launcher.

CMS-03, also called GSAT-7R, is a military communications satellite. It weighs around 4,410 kilograms, making it the heaviest launched from Indian soil. It will operate in geostationary orbit to support defence networks.

The satellite will provide secure, multi-band communications for Indian forces. It covers land, sea, and air units through encrypted channels. The system enhances strategic coordination and maritime surveillance capabilities.

LVM3 is India’s heavy-lift rocket, capable of carrying large payloads. It uses two solid boosters, a liquid core, and a cryogenic upper stage. Its reliability strengthens India’s autonomy in satellite launches.

The 143-foot-tall (43.5-meter-tall) LVM3 is India's most powerful rocket. It can haul 17,600 pounds (8,000 kgs) to low Earth orbit

The rocket lifted off smoothly from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Within 20 minutes, CMS-03 separated and entered transfer orbit successfully. Engineers confirmed stable signal reception from the satellite shortly after deployment.

The mission reinforces India’s secure space infrastructure and defence readiness. CMS-03 improves bandwidth and resilience in military communications. It marks a step toward advanced, indigenous defence technology in space.

ISRO plans further launches under its communication satellite programme. Future satellites will expand bandwidth and extend secure coverage. This mission highlights India’s growing capability in both civilian and defence space technology.