By Admin 
India has prepared to take its maritime security and communication capability to new heights. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is going to send its heaviest communication satellite ever, CMS-03, into space on Sunday. This satellite will play a big role in strengthening the communication network in the Indian Navy and wide maritime areas.
Heaviest satellite to be launched from India
ISRO said that CMS-03, weighing about 4,410 kg, will be the heaviest satellite ever sent from Indian soil to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). This satellite falls in the heavier category of 4,000 kg and will be helpful in upgrading the country’s military-communication system.
‘Bahubali’ will be launched with rocket LVM3-M5
CMS-03 will be launched through ISRO’s most powerful rocket LVM3-M5. Due to its ability to lift heavy loads, this 43.5 meter long rocket is famous by the name of ‘Baahubali’. Integration of the rocket and satellite has been completed and it has been transferred to the second launch pad for pre-launch procedures.
Satellite will fly on Sunday evening
ISRO confirmed that this mission will launch at 5.26 pm on Sunday evening. LVM3 is a three-stage launch vehicle, consisting of two solid motor strap-ons (S200), a liquid propellant core stage (L110), a cryogenic stage (C25). This structure gives ISRO complete technical independence to place its heavy communication satellites in GTO.
GSLV MK-III also known as LVM3
LVM3 is also scientifically called GSLV MK-III. The mission version LVM3-M5 is the fifth expeditionary flight of this rocket. It is used to place 4,000 kg class satellites in space in a cost-effective manner.
Earlier GSAT-11 was the heaviest Indian satellite
ISRO had earlier launched its heaviest communication satellite GSAT-11 (weighing 5,854 kg) in December 2018. It was launched from the European rocket Ariane-5 from the Kourou center in French Guiana. Although GSAT-11 is ISRO’s heaviest satellite built, CMS-03 is the heaviest satellite ever launched from India.
Will strengthen maritime and military communications
CMS-03 is a multi-band communications satellite, aimed at providing secure and robust communications services over the Indian landmass as well as over the wider maritime domain. This satellite will prove important for naval operations and maritime surveillance.
Successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 was also done with this rocket.
LVM3 is the same rocket that sent Chandrayaan-3 into space in 2023. Through this, India became the first country in the world to successfully land near the south pole of the Moon. LLVM3 is capable of carrying heavy payloads with the help of its powerful cryogenic stage. This rocket can deliver a satellite weighing approximately 4,000 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), while it has the capability to place a payload of up to 8,000 kg in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
New satellite CMS-03 for Indian Navy
A new satellite CMS-03, designed to strengthen the maritime defense communications of the Indian Navy, will be launched soon. This satellite will play an important role in making the communication network in the maritime sector modern and more efficient.
CMS-03 will replace Rukmini (GSAT-7)
The CMS-03 satellite will replace the Navy’s existing satellite GSAT-7 (Rukmini), which has been continuously serving the communication needs of the Indian Navy since 2013. During ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Rukmini satellite and deployed naval assets played a vital role in keeping the Pakistan Navy under control through network-centric operations.