Isro scripts history with heaviest satellite launch

India on Sunday strengthened its space capability as the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully launched the Navy's GSAT-7R (CMS-03), the heaviest communication satellite from Indian soil till date, to the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

- Snehal Fernandes

The launch of the CMS-03 communication satellite from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in Sriharikota on Sunday.

In the midst of Cyclone Montha and braving inclement weather for the last two days, the indigenously built 43.5mt LVM3-M5 rocket (nicknamed Bahubali) carrying 4,410kg CMS-03, which was moved to the launch pad on October 26 for pre-launch operations, took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 5.26pm.

Following the successful completion of three stages that involved igniting two S200 boosters, twin liquid engine (L110) with 115 tonnes of liquid propellant and the fully indigenous high thrust cryogenic engine (C25) with a propellant loading of 28 tons, the satellite was injected into GTO at 5.46pm. The satellite is expected to provide communication services for 15 years.

The multi-band communication satellite will provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass. According to a statement, the GSAT-7R with indigenous state-of-the-art components developed specifically to meet the Navy's operational requirements, will strengthen the Navy's space-based communications and maritime domain awareness capabilities.

The communication satellite is the fifth operational flight of LVMB. The previous mission of LVM3-M4 launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission, where in, India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole.

“I am happy to announce that LVM3 launch vehicle has successfully injected the CMS-03 communication satellite in desired orbit. The satellite weighing 4410kg is precisely injected within the specification of the orbit,” Isro chairman V Narayanan said.