ISRO’s Bahubali Rocket Launches India’s Heaviest Communication Satellite CMS-03

India’s space journey soared to new heights as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, aboard the powerful LVM3-M5 rocket, also known as ‘Bahubali’. The launch, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 5:26 pm, marked another major milestone in India’s quest for self-reliance and leadership in space technology.

Record-Breaking Launch of CMS-03

Weighing approximately 4,410 kg, CMS-03 became the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The satellite is designed to enhance multi-band communication services across India and its surrounding oceanic regions. The LVM3-M5, standing 43.5 metres tall, delivered a flawless performance, showcasing India’s indigenous capability to launch heavy payloads—once a domain dominated by global powers.

Technological Milestone for India’s Space Programme

The LVM3 is a three-stage heavy-lift rocket featuring solid strap-on boosters, a liquid core, and a cryogenic upper stage. Sunday’s mission was the fifth operational flight of the vehicle and reaffirmed ISRO’s technological maturity. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan highlighted the organisation’s progress since India’s first sounding rocket launch in 1963, noting that the country’s space programme has evolved from modest beginnings to complex, self-sustaining missions.

Expanding Frontiers in Space Exploration

India’s recent achievements have been exceptional, from the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing to Aditya-L1’s solar studies and XPoSat’s cosmic research. The nation has also advanced towards human spaceflight through the Gaganyaan mission and achieved new milestones like the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) in 2025. Each mission reflects India’s steady climb in the global space hierarchy.

Exam Oriented Facts

• CMS-03 is India’s heaviest communication satellite at 4,410 kg.
• LVM3-M5 is a 43.5-metre, three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle nicknamed ‘Bahubali’.
• Chandrayaan-3 made India the first nation to land near the Moon’s South Pole in 2023.
• Aditya-L1 is India’s first solar observatory, placed at the L1 point in 2024.

Future Vision: Space Station and Human Missions

India’s Space Vision 2047 aims for self-reliance, commercial leadership, and crewed lunar exploration. Upcoming missions include Gaganyaan’s human spaceflight, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, and a Venus Orbiter. The rise of over 300 private space startups and new launch facilities in Tamil Nadu and Sriharikota underscore the growing ecosystem. With CMS-03’s successful launch, India reaffirms its position as a leading force shaping the future of space exploration.