ISRO targets 7 missions by March 2026, eyes first uncrewed G...

ISRO targets 7 missions by March 2026, eyes first uncrewed Gaganyaan launch

ISRO has set a target to launch seven missions, including its ambitious first uncrewed mission under the Gangayaan programme, before the end of March 2026, Chairman V Narayanan said on Sunday. The Bengaluru-headquartered space agency has planned to make three uncrewed missions before the crewed mission under the Gaganyaan programme, and the first uncrewed launch 'G1 Mission' is expected to happen by March 2026, he said. "Our Gaganyaan programme is progressing well. It is in advanced stages. All hardware have arrived at Sriharikota and integration (of the hardware) is happening. We have planned three uncrewed mission. The first uncrewed mission, 'G1 Mission', is going to be achieved before the end of the current financial year," he said. Narayanan was speaking to reporters after the successful launch of communication satellite CMS-03 onboard a LVM3-M05 rocket from this spaceport. Seven missions on the launchpad On the future mission programmes, Narayanan, who is also the Secretary, Department of Space, said seven missions have been planned before the end of March 2026. He said this initiative was under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for ISRO to make 50 rocket launches over the next five year period. "We have planned seven launches to take place before the end of this financial year. It is by March 2026," he said. Commercial and tech missions ahead Giving some insights on the planned missions, he said after Sunday's LVM3-M05 launch, ISRO would undertake another LVM3 rocket launch which would carry a 'commercial communication satellite' for a client. "After that, we have got three more PSLV missions. One is for NSIL customer satellite," he said. NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) is the commercial arm of the ISRO. Narayanan said ISRO has also planned for another technology development mission PSLV-N1 targeted to be launched before the end of the current financial year. "So many developments are taking place. We have also planned for a GSLV-F17 rocket mission before March 2026," he said. Noting that ISRO has drawn up various missions by March 2026, he said, "I know it is not an easy job. It is a tough job. But I know that we will accomplish these activities (in future)." "Team ISRO is geared up to meet the vision of the Prime Minister to launch 50 missions in the next 5 years," he added. Space industry congratulates ISRO Industry bodies on Sunday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the launch of CMS-03, the heaviest satellite to lift-off from Indian soil. At 4410 kg, the CMS-03, a replacement satellite for GSAT-7 used by the Indian Navy, was placed in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by the LVM-3 rocket on Sunday evening. “The successful launch of the CMS-03 satellite by LVM3 rocket (Bahubali) is a monumental achievement for India, powerfully demonstrating our sovereign capability in launching heavy-payload satellites for strategic applications,” Lt Gen Anil K Bhatt (retd.), Director General Indian Space Association (ISpA) said in a statement here. Subba Rao Pavuluri, Chairman of Ananth Technologies Pvt. Ltd (ATL) and President of the Satcom Industry Association-India, said the successful launch of CMS-3, a multi-band military communication satellite demonstrated ISRO’s capability to deliver advanced communication infrastructure to the nation. Pavuluri said ATL contributed huge number of sub-systems, including power control and management system, power distribution systems, telemetry and tele-command systems for interfacing with ground control centre, payload DC-DC converters, star sensor for navigation purpose to the CMS-03 satellite. “We at ATL are honoured to be a part of this achievement and to contribute to ISRO’s continuing legacy of excellence and innovation. Each success reinforces our collective commitment to advancing India’s space capabilities and self-reliance,” he said. ATL also supplied several critical subsystems, including control electronics modules, navigation and guidance systems, electro-mechanical actuator systems, avionics power supply modules, and several other key components for the LVM-3 rocket. Bhatt said the satellite will be a game changer for our maritime and national security, providing advanced, secure communication channels that are critical in the Indian Ocean Region and mainland. “The launch by ISRO not only strengthens our strategic autonomy but also signals a vibrant future for private industry participation in building and supporting our nation’s space assets, reinforcing our position as a formidable space power,” Bhatt said. Published on November 3, 2025

ISRO has set a target to launch seven missions, including its ambitious first uncrewed mission under the Gangayaan programme, before the end of March 2026, Chairman V Narayanan said on Sunday.

The Bengaluru-headquartered space agency has planned to make three uncrewed missions before the crewed mission under the Gaganyaan programme, and the first uncrewed launch 'G1 Mission' is expected to happen by March 2026, he said.

"Our Gaganyaan programme is progressing well. It is in advanced stages. All hardware have arrived at Sriharikota and integration (of the hardware) is happening. We have planned three uncrewed mission. The first uncrewed mission, 'G1 Mission', is going to be achieved before the end of the current financial year," he said.

Narayanan was speaking to reporters after the successful launch of communication satellite CMS-03 onboard a LVM3-M05 rocket from this spaceport.

Seven missions on the launchpad

On the future mission programmes, Narayanan, who is also the Secretary, Department of Space, said seven missions have been planned before the end of March 2026.

He said this initiative was under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for ISRO to make 50 rocket launches over the next five year period.

"We have planned seven launches to take place before the end of this financial year. It is by March 2026," he said.

Commercial and tech missions ahead

Giving some insights on the planned missions, he said after Sunday's LVM3-M05 launch, ISRO would undertake another LVM3 rocket launch which would carry a 'commercial communication satellite' for a client.

"After that, we have got three more PSLV missions. One is for NSIL customer satellite," he said.

NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) is the commercial arm of the ISRO.

Narayanan said ISRO has also planned for another technology development mission PSLV-N1 targeted to be launched before the end of the current financial year.

"So many developments are taking place. We have also planned for a GSLV-F17 rocket mission before March 2026," he said.

Noting that ISRO has drawn up various missions by March 2026, he said, "I know it is not an easy job. It is a tough job. But I know that we will accomplish these activities (in future)." "Team ISRO is geared up to meet the vision of the Prime Minister to launch 50 missions in the next 5 years," he added.

Space industry congratulates ISRO

Industry bodies on Sunday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the launch of CMS-03, the heaviest satellite to lift-off from Indian soil.

At 4410 kg, the CMS-03, a replacement satellite for GSAT-7 used by the Indian Navy, was placed in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by the LVM-3 rocket on Sunday evening.

“The successful launch of the CMS-03 satellite by LVM3 rocket (Bahubali) is a monumental achievement for India, powerfully demonstrating our sovereign capability in launching heavy-payload satellites for strategic applications,” Lt Gen Anil K Bhatt (retd.), Director General Indian Space Association (ISpA) said in a statement here.

Subba Rao Pavuluri, Chairman of Ananth Technologies Pvt. Ltd (ATL) and President of the Satcom Industry Association-India, said the successful launch of CMS-3, a multi-band military communication satellite demonstrated ISRO’s capability to deliver advanced communication infrastructure to the nation.

Pavuluri said ATL contributed huge number of sub-systems, including power control and management system, power distribution systems, telemetry and tele-command systems for interfacing with ground control centre, payload DC-DC converters, star sensor for navigation purpose to the CMS-03 satellite.

“We at ATL are honoured to be a part of this achievement and to contribute to ISRO’s continuing legacy of excellence and innovation. Each success reinforces our collective commitment to advancing India’s space capabilities and self-reliance,” he said.

ATL also supplied several critical subsystems, including control electronics modules, navigation and guidance systems, electro-mechanical actuator systems, avionics power supply modules, and several other key components for the LVM-3 rocket.

Bhatt said the satellite will be a game changer for our maritime and national security, providing advanced, secure communication channels that are critical in the Indian Ocean Region and mainland.

“The launch by ISRO not only strengthens our strategic autonomy but also signals a vibrant future for private industry participation in building and supporting our nation’s space assets, reinforcing our position as a formidable space power,” Bhatt said.

Published on November 3, 2025