Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday successfully launched the Indian Navy’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-7R (CMS-03) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The satellite was carried aboard India’s LVM3 launch vehicle during its fifth operational flight (LVM3-M5), the same rocket that powered the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon’s south pole.
The GSAT-7R, designed and built indigenously, is India’s heaviest communication satellite to date, weighing about 4,400 kilograms. The satellite has been placed in a geosynchronous transfer orbit and is expected to serve for 15 years. It marks a major milestone in enhancing the Navy’s space-based communication and maritime domain awareness capabilities.
Equipped with multi-band transponders, the GSAT-7R will provide high-capacity bandwidth for secure and seamless voice, data, and video communication. It will connect ships, aircraft, submarines, and naval command centers across the Indian Ocean Region, boosting operational readiness and real-time information sharing.
The launch vehicle, fully assembled and integrated with the spacecraft, had been moved to the launch pad on October 26 for pre-launch checks. LVM3 is a three-stage rocket featuring two S200 solid propellant boosters, an L110 liquid stage, and a C25 cryogenic upper stage. The mission also marked the first time ISRO successfully reignited the cryogenic engine during flight, a significant technical achievement.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan congratulated the team, stating that the LVM3-M5 vehicle performed flawlessly and placed the satellite precisely in its intended orbit. “This mission has brought immense pride to the nation. Despite challenging weather conditions, the team’s dedication ensured a flawless success,” he said.
Mission Director T. Victor Joseph also commended the accomplishment, highlighting that all systems performed to perfection during the complex operation.
The GSAT-7R launch marks another step forward in India’s indigenous space technology development and reinforces the country’s growing self-reliance in defense communication infrastructure.
