The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone by successfully launching the heaviest communication satellite from Indian soil. The CMS-03 communication satellite, weighing a massive 4,410 kg, was successfully placed into orbit on Sunday by the new-generation, homegrown LVM3-M5 'Bahubali' rocket.
The mission showcases a major step toward India's self-reliance in launching heavy payloads, a capability previously often reliant on foreign launch vehicles.
The Historic Launch and Heavy-Lift Achievement
The successful launch took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 5:26 PM. The CMS-03 satellite was precisely injected into the desired Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan highlighted the importance of the achievement, noting that the LVM3 rocket's previous mission was the prestigious Chandrayaan-3. He stated that the successful injection of this "heavier satellite" into orbit marked "yet another pride" for the organization.
The Power of the 'Bahubali' Rocket
The LVM3-M5, affectionately nicknamed 'Bahubali' for its immense heavy-lift capabilities, is ISRO's most powerful operational launch vehicle. It is a three-stage rocket comprising:
Two solid motor strap-ons (S200)
A liquid propellant core stage (L110)
A cryogenic stage (C25)
The LVM3 rocket family now boasts a 100% success rate with all eight of its launches, including its experimental mission, underscoring its reliability for India's crucial space missions.
CMS-03: Enhancing India's Communication Backbone
The CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite designed to provide services over the Indian landmass and a wide oceanic region. It is a vital replacement for the decade-old GSAT 7 series satellite, which was originally launched in 2013.
The new satellite is set to significantly strengthen the nation's communication infrastructure, serving both civilian purposes and strategic applications.
National Acclaim
Following the mission's success, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded ISRO in a post on X, emphasizing that the space sector "continues to make us proud." He commended the space scientists for making the sector "synonymous with excellence and innovation," which has furthered national progress. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also extended his congratulations to ISRO and PM Modi for the string of successful space missions.
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