ISRO Makes History Again: 'Bahubali' Rocket Sends Heaviest Communication Satellite Into Orbit - Watch Video

India on Sunday successfully launched its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, aboard the country’s most powerful rocket, marking another milestone in the nation’s space program. The satellite, weighing 4,410 kilograms, was carried by the LVM3-M5 rocket—popularly dubbed “Bahubali” for its heavy-lift capability—from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the mission placed the satellite into the intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). CMS-03, a multi-band communication satellite, is designed to provide services across the Indian landmass and a wide stretch of oceanic regions. It is also meant to replace the aging GSAT-7 series launched in 2013, ensuring continuity in India’s

communication capabilities.ISRO Chairman and Department of Space Secretary V. Narayanan confirmed that the satellite had been “precisely injected” into the desired orbit. Speaking from the Mission Control Center, Narayanan described the LVM3 vehicle as “Bahubali,” a nod to its power and reliability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFNvLZPkfPk

“This 4,410 kg satellite is precisely injected,” he said, calling the launch another proud moment for the nation. “The rocket’s previous mission, Chandrayaan-3, brought immense pride to India, and today, it has achieved yet another milestone by successfully launching a heavier satellite," he added.ISRO said CMS-03 has been designed to provide uninterrupted communication services for at least 15 years. The satellite’s successful deployment demonstrates India’s growing self-reliance in space technology.“All eight LVM3 missions, including the experimental one, have been successful, maintaining a 100 percent success rate,” Narayanan added.The LVM3 rocket, India’s most powerful launch vehicle, has been used for a variety of high-profile missions, including Chandrayaan-3, which successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole in 2023.Narayanan described the latest mission as “yet another shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” or self-reliant India.Before Sunday’s mission, the ISRO relied on foreign launch services to send its heaviest satellites into orbit. These missions were carried out from the Kourou launch base in French Guiana using Ariane rockets operated by France-based Arianespace.On December 5, 2018, ISRO launched its then-heaviest communication satellite, GSAT-11, weighing 5,854 kilograms, aboard an Ariane-5 VA-246 rocket from French Guiana.