ISRO launches India’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, ‘Bahubali’ rocket places it in orbit

"India successfully launched and placed its heaviest-ever communication satellite, CMS-03, weighing 4,410 kg, into the intended orbit on Sunday.Advertisment The country"s heaviest communication satellite was flown on a LVM3-M5 rocket, named "Bahubali," which lifted off from Sriharikota earlier in the day. ISRO Chief announces launch ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said the launch vehicle successfully injected the communication satellite into the required orbit. “India"s #Bahubali scales the skies, with the successful launch of #LVM3M5 Mission!” he shared on X. The "4410 kg satellite is precisely injected," he said. In his address from the Mission Control Centre post-launch, he described the LVM 3 satellite as 'Bahubali,' in an apparent reference to its heavy-lift capability. Kudos Team #ISRO! India"s #Bahubali scales the skies, with the successful launch of #LVM3M5 Mission! “Bahubali” as it is being popularly referred, LVM3-M5 rocket is carrying the CMS-03 communication satellite, the heaviest ever to be launched from the Indian soil into a… pic.twitter.com/ccyIPUxpIX — Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) November 2, 2025 All about India's heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that would provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass, according to ISRO. The satellite was placed in the desired Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). It is also a replacement for the GSAT 7 series, launched in 2013. Before Sunday's launch, the Indian space agency had been utilising the services of the Kourou launch base in French Guiana by Ariane rockets offered by France-based Arianespace, for launching heavier satellites. On December 5, 2018, ISRO launched its heaviest communication satellite, GSAT-11, weighing 5,854 kg, onboard an Ariane-5 VA-246 rocket from French Guiana. LVM3-M5, a three-stage launch vehicle with two solid motor strap-ons (S200), a liquid propellant core stage (L110), and a cryogenic stage (C25), provides ISRO with full self-reliance in launching heavier communication satellites weighing up to 4,000 kg in GTO. ISRO scientists also call the LVM3 as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) MkIII. The ISRO scientists have classified launch vehicles depending upon the mission objectives, targeted orbit, and altitude, among others. The launch vehicles or launchers used by ISRO include Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), GSLV) and LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-III). The Indian space agency has been providing launch services for customer satellites since 1999 from Sriharikota. Also read: 'People laughed at me for leaving my Oracle job to sell Falooda ice-cream,' says the Founder who now runs 18+ outlets across India & Dubai (startuppedia.in)"