New Delhi: ISRO’s LVM3-M5 mission has successfully lifted off from the second launch pad (SLP) at India’s spaceport in Sriharikota. This is the first flight
of ISRO’s mightiest rocket since the historic Chandrayaan 3 mission lifted off on 14 July 2023. There is a single payload on board, a communications satellite for the Indian Navy designated as CMS-03 or GSAT-7R. Weighing 4,400 kg, this is the heaviest payload ever launched to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) from Indian soil. The satellite will provide voice, data and video links over multiple bands, supporting secure communications between ships, aircraft, submarines and Maritime Operations Centres of the Indian Navy.
The CMS-03 satellite being prepped for launch. (Image Credit: ISRO).
The integration video during the pre-launched programming showed the stacking of the first stage with the strap on boosters being assembled in the Solid Stage Assembly Building (SSAB), before the partially stacked rocket was rolled out to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where the upper stage and the encapsulated assembly was stacked on top of the rocket. The fully assembly rocket was then slowly and carefully rolled out to the second launch pad. The satellite uses the I4K bus of ISRO, and has a planned mission lifespan of 15 years. The Mission Director cleared the launch about eight minutes before the liftoff. The upper stage of the LVM3 rocket is expected to deploy the satellite at an altitude of 179 km after a 16 minute flight. ISRO chairman V Narayanan is expected to confirm the successful deployment of the satellite, and address the press.
Another LVM3 launch by year end
The satellite was commissioned by the Indian Navy, and was designed and developed by ISRO in India, with several payloads designed specifically for meeting the operational requirements. The satellite was originally supposed to launch in 2022. The LVM3-M5 mission was previously expected to be used for the launch of the Block 2 BlueBirds for a private American Company, but delays in realising and shipping the payload bumped the mission to later in the year. ISRO plans to launch another LVM3 flight before the end of the year, which if successful, would be the shortest time between two LVM3 launches.
