India LVM3M5 Heavy-lift Rocket Launches CMS-03 Communications Satellite | ISRO
On November 2, 2025, using a domestically-produced LVM3M5 rocket, India successfully launched the heaviest geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) communications satellite, the CMS-03 weighing 4,410 kilograms, to date from Indian soil at the Sriharikota spaceport (Andhra Pradesh), marking another milestone in India’s space history. Previously, the Bengaluru-headquartered ISRO had been utilizing launch vehicles provided by France-headquartered Arianespace for launching over 4,000 kg heavy satellites from French Guiana. ISRO launched its heaviest communication satellite GSAT-11 on an Ariane-5 VA-246 rocket, December 5, 2018, from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. It weighed about 5,854 kg.
The CMS-03 satellite traveled onboard the 43.5 meter tall LVM3-M5 rocket, dubbed “Bahubali (Strong arms)” for its heavy-lift capability. The CMS-03 is a "multi-band communications satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass,” ISRO said.
The three-stage LVM3-M5 rocket launch vehicle with two solid motor strap-ons (S200), a liquid propellant core stage (L110) and a cryogenic stage (C25) gives ISRO self-sufficiency in launching heavier communication satellites that weigh up to 4,000 kg to GEO.
LVM3 is also termed by ISRO scientists as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk III. This is the fifth operational flight, ISRO said. The LVM3 rocket is capable of carrying payloads to GEO weighing 4,000 kg and for low Earth orbit (LEO) payloads of 8,000 kg with its cryogenic stage.
The two S200 solid rocket boosters located on the sides of the rocket provide the thrust required for liftoff. The S200 boosters are developed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
The third stage is a L110 liquid stage, powered by two Vikas engines designed and developed at India's Liquid Propulsion Systems Center.
The previous mission of the LVM3 rocket was the successful launch of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, wherein India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar South Pole in 2023.
Sriharikota is a barrier island off the Bay of Bengal coast located in the Shar Project settlement of Tirupati district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It houses the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, one of the two satellite launch centres in India (the other being Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station, Thiruvananthapuram). ISRO launches satellites using multistage rockets, such as the PSLV and the GSLV, from Sriharikota. Sriharikota was selected by ISRO because of its proximity to the equator, it gives extra centripetal force from the rotation of Earth.
#NASA #ISRO #Space #Satellites #Science #Earth #India #BhāratGaṇarājya #LVM3M5Rocket #GSLV #CMS03 #CommunicationsSatellite #SDSC #Sriharikota #AndhraPradesh #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #Aerospace #STEM #Education
No comments:
Post a Comment