Countdown begins for launch of ISRO's military communication satellite CMS-03

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has commenced the countdown for the launch of a military communications satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Srihartkota on the southeastern seaboard on Mover 2.

Named CMS-03, it would be the heaviest satellite to be launched from Indian soil, with a weight of 4,400 kg.

“Countdown Commences! Final preparations complete and the countdown for #LVM3M5 has officially begun at SDSC-SHAR,” ISRO announced on its X handle on Saturday evening.

“All systems are GO as we move closer to liftoff!”

Countdown Commences!

Final preparations complete and the countdown for #LVM3M5 has officially begun at SDSC-SHAR.

All systems are GO as we move closer to liftoff! ✨

For more Information Visithttps://t.co/yfpU5OTEc5 pic.twitter.com/6pPYS5rl9d

— ISRO (@isro) November 1, 2025

The satellite will be injected into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by ISRO's Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3).

This would be LMV3's eight flight and fifth operational mission, all of which have been successful. The previous mission of LVM3 was to launch the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon, where in India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole.

CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass, according to ISRO. Its payload includes transponders for voice, data and video links over C, extended C, and Ku bands.

Built primarily for the Indian Navy, the CMS-03, also referred to as GSAT-7R, is meant to replace the existing operational GSAT-7, a multi-band military communications satellite that has been operational since September 2013.

The contract for the Rs 1,589 crore project was signed between ISRO and the Indian Navy in June 2019.

This satellite will significantly enhance connectivity, provide sharper and higher-capacity bandwidth and improve digital access to remote territories, facilitating both civilian agencies and strategic applications.

It will also help upgrade defence communications by providing secure and reliable voice, data and video transmission across different regions as well as enable secure communication links between naval ships, aircraft and shore based-installations.