ISRO's LVM3-M5 'Bahubali' Successfully Launches India's Heaviest Indigenous Satellite CMS-03
India's most powerful rocket, LVM3-M5 'Bahubali', successfully launched the heaviest indigenous communication satellite, CMS-03, weighing about 4,410 kg, into geosynchronous transfer orbit. This milestone enhances India's self-reliance in space and boosts secure communication capabilities, particularly for the Indian Navy, by supporting expanded coverage and advanced encryption.
On November 2, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a major milestone with the successful launch of CMS-03, the heaviest communication satellite ever launched from Indian soil, using the LVM3-M5 'Bahubali' rocket. CMS-03, weighing approximately 4,410 kg, was placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit about 16 minutes after liftoff from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission marked the fifth operational flight of the LVM3 vehicle, which previously launched the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission.CMS-03 is a multi-band communications satellite supporting broad frequency bands (UHF, S, C, and Ku) and high-throughput transponders, enabling enhanced and secure connectivity for the Indian Navy across vast oceanic regions. Its capabilities underpin network-centric naval operations, situational awareness, and maritime domain security. The launch also validated the indigenously developed C25 cryogenic stage in orbit, a critical technology for future heavy satellite launches and human spaceflight missions like Gaganyaan.This launch exemplifies India's advancement towards complete self-reliance in space technology, reducing dependence on foreign launches for heavy satellites and significantly strengthening domestic communication services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on this highlight in India’s space capabilities.
