ISRO to Launch India’s Heaviest Communication Satellite CMS-03 on Sunday Aboard LVM3 Rocket

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to make history this Sunday with the launch of CMS-03, the heaviest communication satellite ever built and launched by India. The satellite, weighing over 4.4 tonnes (4,410 kg), will lift off aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket—the country’s most powerful launch vehicle to date—from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The launch window has been scheduled for 5:26 p.m. IST (11:56 GMT), marking a significant step forward in India’s journey toward greater autonomy and capacity in space communications.

🚀 Largest Satellite, Largest Rocket

CMS-03 represents a major leap in payload capacity for India’s space program. At 4.4 tonnes, it is nearly double the mass of earlier Indian communication satellites.

The satellite will be carried by the LVM3-M5 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3)—a 43.5-meter-tall heavy-lift rocket that has already earned international recognition for powering India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, which successfully landed on the Moon in August 2023.

While ISRO has not revealed all the technical upgrades for this flight, reports suggest the LVM3 variant used for CMS-03 is an enhanced version of the Chandrayaan-3 launcher, optimized for heavier payloads and longer operational endurance.

🌐 Extended Communication Coverage

Once deployed, CMS-03 will strengthen India’s satellite-based communication infrastructure, covering not only the entire Indian subcontinent but also large oceanic regions around it.

The mission aims to enhance network reliability and extend connectivity in remote and underserved regions where terrestrial infrastructure is weak. The satellite will support civilian, maritime, and strategic communication services across both land and sea, further bolstering India’s digital and strategic communication backbone.

🧭 A Milestone in India’s Space Roadmap

India’s space program has witnessed rapid growth since its early missions in the 2000s. Following the success of Chandrayaan-3 and upcoming plans for an uncrewed orbital mission, ISRO is preparing to launch India’s first crewed spaceflight by 2027 under the Gaganyaan program.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced a bold target — to send an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040. The CMS-03 launch is thus seen as another major milestone in India’s path toward technological self-reliance and leadership in global space exploration.

With the successful deployment of CMS-03, India will not only set a new national record but also take a decisive step toward expanding its role in the global satellite communication arena.