On a crisp Sunday morning, excitement filled the air at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota as the countdown for India’s next major space milestone began. Standing tall at 43.5 metres, the LVM3-M5 — fondly nicknamed ‘Bahubali’ — was all set on the second launch pad to propel the nation’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, into orbit.
A Historic Mission for India’s Space Programme
The CMS-03 mission marks a significant leap for India’s space ambitions, showcasing the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) growing self-reliance in high-capacity satellite technology.
At 4,410 kg, CMS-03 is the heaviest communication satellite ever launched from Indian soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Designed as a multi-band, multi-mission satellite, it will extend communication coverage across wide oceanic zones surrounding India, playing a pivotal role in strengthening naval, aerial, and maritime networks — particularly for the Indian Navy.
Launch Day for #LVM3M5. India’s heavy-lift rocket launches #CMS03 today at 17:26 IST.
— ISRO (@isro) November 2, 2025
Youtube URL: https://t.co/gFKB0A1GJE
🗓️ 2 Nov 2025 (Sunday)
🕔 4:56 PM IST onwards
For more Information Visithttps://t.co/yfpU5OTEc5 pic.twitter.com/NB46ZT1Pwb
The Powerhouse: LVM3-M5 ‘Bahubali’
The launch vehicle, LVM3-M5 (also known as GSLV Mk III), is ISRO’s most powerful rocket. Its robust three-stage configuration includes:
- Two S200 solid boosters for immense liftoff thrust.
- A liquid-fueled L110 core stage powered by Vikas engines.
- A cryogenic C25 upper stage, fully indigenized, to place heavy payloads into orbit.
The LVM3 can carry up to 4,000 kg to GTO and 8,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It has an impeccable record, including powering the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission that achieved a historic landing at the Moon’s south pole in 2023.
The CMS-03 integrated stack was rolled out to the launch pad on 26 October and cleared all pre-launch checks.
Launch Details
- Launch Date: Sunday, 2 November 2025
- Time: 5:26 PM IST
- Location: Second Launch Pad, SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota
- Orbit: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)
With systems “go” and countdown underway, ISRO’s mission team has confirmed the vehicle is ready for liftoff.
How to Watch the Launch Live
ISRO will stream the event live on its official website and social media channels.
Viewers can access updates and watch the broadcast via the official “LVM3-M5/CMS-03 Mission” page on ISRO’s portal, which also features the full mission brochure and timeline.
