India's Heaviest Satellite Launch: ISRO Prepares CMS-03 for Historic Mission

ISRO confirmed that all final preparations have been completed.

India is preparing for a historic space mission as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) gets ready to launch its heaviest satellite from Indian soil. The 4,410 kg multi-band communication satellite, CMS-03, will be sent into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) using the LVM3-M5 rocket, representing a major achievement for India's space program.

The CMS-03 satellite will be carried by the LVM3-M5 rocket, known as "Bahubali" due to its powerful lifting capabilities. The 43.5-meter-tall launch vehicle has been completely assembled, integrated with the satellite, and transferred to the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

ISRO has announced that all final preparations are now complete and the countdown for the LVM3-M5 mission has officially begun, with all systems ready for launch. The launch is scheduled to take place at 5:26 pm on November 2.

Check out the post here:

Launch Day for #LVM3M5. India's heavy-lift rocket launches #CMS03 today at 17:26 IST.Youtube URL: https://t.co/gFKB0A1GJE🗓️ 2 Nov 2025 (Sunday)🕔 4:56 PM IST onwardsFor more Information Visithttps://t.co/yfpU5OTEc5

— ISRO (@isro) November 2, 2025

LVM3, also referred to as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) MkIII, is ISRO's newest heavy-lift launch vehicle, designed to cost-effectively deliver satellites weighing up to 4,000 kg into GTO.

This three-stage rocket features two solid motor strap-ons (S200), a liquid propellant core stage (L110), and a cryogenic stage (C25), and has been developed using entirely indigenous technologies.

The LVM3 has demonstrated an impressive track record, beginning with its first developmental launch, the Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE), in 2014.

This upcoming launch represents the fifth operational flight of the LVM3-M5 vehicle. The rocket's cryogenic stage gives it the capability to deliver payloads up to 4,000 kg to GTO and up to 8,000 kg to low Earth orbit. A human-rated version of this rocket, the HRLV, is being developed for ISRO's ambitious Gaganyaan mission.

While CMS-03 will be India's heaviest satellite launched from within the country, ISRO previously launched its heaviest communications satellite, GSAT-11, weighing 5,854 kg, on an Ariane-5 rocket from French Guiana in 2018. The current mission aims to provide multi-band communications services across the vast oceanic region, including the Indian landmass.