India launched CMS-03, the country’s heaviest communications satellite (about 4,410 kg), from Sriharikota on Sunday. The spacecraft was placed into orbit by the upgraded LVM3-M5 rocket, an evolution of the launcher that carried Chandrayaan-3 to a successful lunar landing in 2023. Officials say CMS-03 will bolster secure communications for ships, aircraft and submarines. The mission underscores India’s rapidly growing space capabilities and ties into planned crewed flights around 2027 and long-term lunar goals.
India Launches Heaviest Communications Satellite CMS-03, Strengthening Military Links and Lunar Ambitions
India launched CMS-03, the country’s heaviest communications satellite (about 4,410 kg), from Sriharikota on Sunday. The spacecraft was placed into orbit by the upgraded LVM3-M5 rocket, an evolution of the launcher that carried Chandrayaan-3 to a successful lunar landing in 2023. Officials say CMS-03 will bolster secure communications for ships, aircraft and submarines. The mission underscores India’s rapidly growing space capabilities and ties into planned crewed flights around 2027 and long-term lunar goals.
18:27, 02.11.2025Science
India launches its heaviest communications satellite, CMS-03
India on Sunday launched CMS-03, the heaviest communications satellite the country has put into orbit to date, marking another milestone in its expanding space programme.
The spacecraft lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 5:26 pm local time (11:56 GMT) aboard the 43.5-metre LVM3-M5 launch vehicle. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said CMS-03 weighs about 4,410 kilograms (9,722 pounds), making it the nation's largest communications satellite by mass.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the launch, saying, “Our space sector continues to make us proud!” He has set an ambitious long-term goal of sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
The Indian Navy said CMS-03 will help provide secure communication links for naval vessels, aircraft and submarines, improving connectivity for defence operations at sea and beyond.
The LVM3-M5 is an upgraded variant of the rocket that carried India's Chandrayaan-3 lander to the Moon in August 2023. Chandrayaan-3 achieved a successful controlled lunar landing, making India one of the few nations to accomplish that feat.
Over the past decade India has steadily expanded its space capabilities, advancing both commercial and strategic missions and accelerating development of crewed spaceflight and lunar exploration programs.
In a related milestone this year, Indian Air Force test pilot Shubhanshu Shukla became the second Indian to travel to space and the first to reach the International Space Station — a notable step toward a planned crewed mission around 2027.
Why it matters: CMS-03 strengthens India's secure military communications and reflects broader ambitions—both crewed and robotic—across low Earth orbit and lunar exploration.