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In a significant advancement for India’s defence and space capabilities, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday successfully launched and placed in orbit the Indian Navy’s communication satellite CMS-03, also known as GSAT-7R. The launch took place from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 5:26 pm.

The 4,400 kg satellite, India’s heaviest communication satellite to date, is designed to strengthen the Navy’s space-based communication and enhance maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean region. The successful mission reinforces India’s growing ability to develop and deploy advanced defence-grade satellites indigenously.

CMS-03 was developed by ISRO with advanced indigenous components tailored to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Navy. According to the Navy, the satellite will serve as a key communication link for maritime operations, improving coordination among warships, aircraft and coastal command centres.

ISRO described CMS-03 as a multi-band communication satellite capable of providing secure and high-quality connectivity over a vast oceanic area, including the Indian landmass. The satellite will enable real-time information exchange for strategic and tactical missions.

The launch vehicle used for the mission, LVM3-M5, is ISRO’s most powerful rocket and the same vehicle that successfully carried the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon. This was its fifth operational flight. Standing 43.5 metres tall with a total liftoff mass of 642 tonnes, the vehicle uses a three-stage propulsion system to carry heavy payloads to the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

The CMS-03 separation occurred at an altitude of about 179 kilometres, travelling at a velocity of nearly 10 km per second. The vehicle completed eight precise sequences before deploying the satellite, confirming ISRO’s continued reliability in complex missions.

The successful launch of CMS-03 represents a vital step in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in strategic space technology. Built entirely in India, the satellite underscores the country’s capacity to develop high-end communication systems for defence without foreign dependence.

ISRO officials noted that the CMS-03 mission demonstrates India’s readiness to handle heavier payloads and advanced communication systems. It also marks another milestone in India’s expanding dual-use space infrastructure, serving both civilian and military applications.

With CMS-03 now operational, India’s maritime forces will have access to improved secure communication channels and enhanced situational awareness. This capability will help strengthen naval coordination and surveillance across the Indian Ocean, a region of growing strategic importance.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros