| 👁 Image LVM3-M5 equipped with GSAT-7R, being transferred to the Second Launch Pad | |
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | Indian Navy |
| COSPAR ID | 2025-249B 👁 Edit this at Wikidata |
| SATCAT no. | 66311👁 Edit this on Wikidata |
| Website | CMS-03 |
| Mission duration | Planned: 15 years[1] Elapsed: 5 months, 2 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | U. R. Rao Satellite Centre[1] |
| Launch mass | 4,410 kilograms (9,720 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2 November 2025, 11:56 (2025-11-02UTC11:56Z)UTC |
| Rocket | LVM3-M5 |
| Launch site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota |
| Entered service | 2 November 2025[1] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
GSAT-7R (also known as CMS-03) is a multi-band communication satellite developed by ISRO for the Indian Navy. The satellite is meant to replace the existing and operational GSAT-7.
Satellite
[edit]The satellite, weighing 4,410 kilograms (9,720 lb),[2][1] is meant to transmit voice, video and data among the naval ships, submarines, aircraft and Maritime Operation Centres[1] of the Indian Navy deployed across the Indian Ocean Region, covering up to 2,000 km from India's coastline.[3]
The satellite employs advanced payloads in multiple frequency bands, including UHF, S, C and Ku bands.[3] It is also equipped with indigenous components like a 1,200 litre propulsion tank and collapsible antenna systems. It also has a planned lifespan of 15 years.[1]
The contract for the ₹1,589 crore (US$225.65 million) satellite project was signed in 11 June 2019 between the Indian Navy and the ISRO.[4][5]
History
[edit]During the time of contract signing in 2019, the projected launch date of the satellite was expected between 2020[4] and 2022.[5]By August 2025, the delivery timeline had slipped by few years to November 2025.[6][7] By 23 October, the launch date was scheduled on 2 November.[8] The vehicle performance of LMV3-M5 had been enhanced by 10% to accommodate the CMS-03 satellite which is heavier than its payload capacity of 4 tonnes for GTO orbits.[1]
The satellite assembly and integration with launch vehicle has been completed by early October 2025. The launch vehicle was moved to the launchpad on 26 October and pre-launch procedures were initiated thereafter. It is the heaviest satellite to be launched to the Geostationary Transfer Orbit orbit from India till date.[9][10] A pre flight inspection fixed problems in the fuel control systems that plagued the NVS-02 satellite which used a similar spacecraft bus.[11][12]
On 2 November 2025, at 5:26 pm IST,[2] ISRO successfully placed the CMS-03 satellite into the desired orbit through the LVM3-M5 rocket from the Second Launch Pad[1] of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.[13][14] The mission featured an experiment, re-ignition of the cryogenic upper stage. The satellite was separated from the launch vehicle at around 16 minutes in sub-GTO orbit. from launch with a perigee of 26,700 km.[1]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Gsat-7R: Isro launches heaviest communication satellite from India, Navy set to get boost". The Times of India. 3 November 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Countdown begins for launch of ISRO's heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 for military on November 2". The Hindu. PTI. 1 November 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ^ a b Singh, Abhinav (21 October 2025). "CMS-02 satellite launch likely in November. Why this is a major upgrade for Indian Navy's operations, maritime defence". The Week. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ^ a b Pubby, Manu (18 July 2019). "Navy to buy Rs 1,589 crore satellite from ISRO". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 27 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Isro to build 2nd dedicated satellite for Navy to interlink warships, aircraft". The Times of India. 21 July 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "ISRO to Launch Spy Satellites GSAT-7R and TDS by Year-End, Strengthening Indian Navy's Communication and Surveillance Capabilities". indianmasterminds.com. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ Ray, Kalyan (11 September 2025). "Indian Navy to operationalise new info centre in Gurugram today". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ "LVM-3 to launch CMS-03 on November 2; Nisar to begin operations soon". The Times of India. 23 October 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ^ "LVM-3, set to launch satellite for Navy on November 2, moves to launchpad". The Times of India. 26 October 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Satellite for armed forces to be launched next week". The Hindu. 26 October 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ Science Desk, India Today (25 February 2026). "A year after NVS-02 satellite's failure, Isro explains what went wrong in space". India Today. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
- ^ "NVS-02 Spacecraft: On-Orbit Observations and Apex Committee Recommendations". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
- ^ "ISRO scripts history as 'Bahubali' rocket injects heaviest satellite in orbit". The Hindu. PTI. 2 November 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ^ "ISRO Rocket Launch Today Live Updates: India's heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 successfully placed in intended orbit, mission successfully accomplished". The Indian Express. 2 November 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
