Key Takeaways
- ISRO launching Indian Navy’s heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 today
- 4,400 kg satellite to enhance maritime communications and surveillance
- Launch scheduled for 5:26 PM from Sriharikota
- Live streaming available on ISRO’s YouTube channel
ISRO is set to launch the Indian Navy’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-7R (CMS-03) today, marking a significant milestone in India’s space capabilities. The 4,400 kg satellite will replace the aging GSAT-7 and become the heaviest communications satellite ever launched by ISRO.
The Indian Navy celebrated the launch as another leap for #AatmanirbharBharat, stating: “#AatmanirbharBharat takes another leap! #ISRO is set to launch GSAT-7R, #IndianNavy’s most advanced indigenously developed communication satellite, today from Sriharikota. A testament to our commitment to safeguarding maritime interests with cutting-edge Indian technology.”
Strategic Importance
The CMS-03 satellite will significantly strengthen the Navy’s space-based communications and maritime domain awareness capabilities. According to the Navy, this multi-band communication satellite will provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass.
The satellite features many indigenous state-of-the-art components specifically developed to meet the Indian Navy’s operational requirements. This launch represents India’s growing self-reliance in defense and space technology.
Launch Details
Mission: LVM3 M5 carrying CMS-03 satellite
Launch Time: 5:26 PM IST
Location: Second Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
ISRO described CMS-03 as “a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass… The previous mission of LVM3 launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission, where in, India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole.”
How to Watch Live
The launch will be live-streamed on ISRO’s YouTube channel starting at 4:56 PM. Viewers can watch the historic launch at the official ISRO YouTube link.
On October 26, ISRO completed the vehicle’s movement to the launch pad after full assembly and integration with the spacecraft for pre-launch operations.
Upcoming ISRO Missions
Following today’s launch, ISRO has packed schedule with multiple missions:
- LVM3-M6: Scheduled for first week of December, featuring CE20 cryogenic engine
- PSLV-C62: Planned for mid/late December, marking PSLV’s return to flight after previous mission failure
As ISRO Spaceflight noted: “ISRO is planning to launch the PSLV-C62 mission in mid/late December, which will be the return to flight for PSLV following a failure in its previous mission.”
