India launches CMS-03 military satellite using its most powerful rocket early Sunday morning. The India launches CMS-03 military satellite mission supports naval communications and marks a major milestone. The spacecraft, also called GSAT-7R, lifted off aboard the LVM3 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 6:56 a.m. EST, or 5:26 p.m. local Indian time.
The LVM3 deployed the 9,700-pound CMS-03 into geostationary transfer orbit about 16 minutes after liftoff. This flight became the heaviest communications satellite launch to GTO from Indian soil, confirmed by ISRO. CMS-03 will later enter geostationary orbit at 22,236 miles above Earth. At this altitude, the satellite stays fixed over one region because its orbital speed matches Earth’s rotation.
Such orbit suits surveillance and communication satellites. CMS-03 will support the Indian Navy, replacing GSAT-7 launched in 2013. The Times of India mentioned that upgraded payloads allow CMS-03 to expand secure, multi-band communications for naval operations. The satellite supports real-time naval missions, air defense, and strategic command across wide ocean and land regions. This increases secure communications CMS-03 capacity for India’s growing blue-water presence.
The launch marked the eighth mission for LVM3, first used in December 2014. The rocket’s previous flight in July 2023 carried Chandrayaan-3 to the moon’s south polar region. With India launches LVM3 rocket success once again, the nation strengthens its technological and military space infrastructure through the CMS-03 military satellite mission.