India Makes History: ISRO Launches Heaviest Satellite, Sets New Orbit Record ‘BAHUBALI’ ROCKET TRIUMPHS:
Sriharikota, India: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a spectacular new milestone earlier today, successfully launching the country’s heaviest-ever communication satellite, CMS-03, using its powerful Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3-M5), affectionately nicknamed ‘Bahubali’.
The successful mission is not just a triumph for Indian space engineering but marks a critical step toward national self-reliance in the deployment of heavy-class communication payloads, a capability previously dominated by international agencies.
The 24-hour countdown culminated in a perfect liftoff from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, propelling the massive payload into space.
• Heaviest Payload: The CMS-03 satellite weighs approximately 4,410 kg, making it the heaviest communication satellite launched from Indian soil to date.
• The LVM3 Advantage: The launch utilized the LVM3-M5 rocket, ISRO’s new heavy-lift launch vehicle. This three-stage rocket is crucial for placing spacecraft weighing up to 4,000 kg into the demanding Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) in a cost-effective manner.
• Strategic Purpose: While CMS-03’s primary function is to boost India’s civilian communication capabilities, the successful deployment of such a heavy-class satellite is also a significant step in reinforcing the nation’s strategic and defence infrastructure.
ISRO officials confirmed that the launch vehicle performed flawlessly, successfully injecting the CMS-03 into its designated GTO, paving the way for the satellite to eventually drift to its final orbital slot and begin its operational lifespan.
This mission underscores India’s growing capability in the global space market. By achieving mastery over launching satellites of this weight class, ISRO reduces India’s dependence on foreign launch providers, translating into substantial cost savings and increased strategic autonomy.
The LVM3 program, also known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) MkIII, is the backbone of India’s future heavy missions, including crewed spaceflights under the ambitious Gaganyaan program. The successful CMS-03 launch ensures that this vital launch vehicle platform is robust and ready for India’s next giant leaps in space exploration and defence technology. (Source: The Hindu / The Times of India)
