The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for another significant milestone in its space journey with the upcoming launch of the LVM3-M5 rocket, popularly nicknamed ‘Bahubali’. This launch, scheduled for November 2 at 5:26 pm, will carry the CMS-03 communication satellite — the heaviest payload ever to be launched from Indian soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Weighing approximately 4,410 kilograms, the CMS-03 satellite represents a major leap in India’s space capabilities, both in terms of technological advancement and self-reliance in launching heavy communication satellites without external assistance.

A Major Step Forward in Indian Space Capability

The LVM3-M5 launch marks the fifth operational mission of ISRO’s most powerful rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), which has been affectionately dubbed ‘Bahubali’ for its massive lifting power and reliable performance. Standing tall at 43.5 meters and weighing over 640 tonnes at liftoff, the LVM3 is designed to carry large payloads to both Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This upcoming mission will be particularly noteworthy because it will deploy the CMS-03 satellite, which at 4,410 kg will be the heaviest satellite launched domestically, demonstrating ISRO’s capacity to handle missions that previously required international collaborations.

The LVM3 rocket was moved to the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota for pre-launch checks and integration operations earlier this week. Engineers and scientists at ISRO have been conducting final tests and verifications to ensure that all systems are performing optimally before the countdown begins.

Understanding LVM3: India’s Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle

LVM3, also known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV Mk-III), is ISRO’s most powerful and advanced launch vehicle to date. It was developed to provide India with full independence in launching heavier satellites into GTO, a task that previously required using foreign launch vehicles such as the European Ariane-5 rocket. According to ISRO, LVM3 can place satellites weighing up to 4,000 kg in GTO and up to 8,000 kg in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), making it one of the most capable launchers in its class globally.

The rocket consists of three stages that work in tandem to deliver the satellite to its intended orbit. The first stage comprises two massive solid rocket boosters known as S200s. These boosters are mounted on either side of the rocket and provide the initial thrust required for liftoff. Each S200 booster burns solid propellant and generates an enormous amount of thrust, enabling the vehicle to break free from the Earth’s gravitational pull. Developed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, these boosters represent one of the largest solid propulsion systems ever built by ISRO.

Once the boosters separate, the L110 liquid stage takes over. This second stage is powered by two Vikas engines that use a mixture of hypergolic liquid propellants — unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel and nitrogen tetroxide (N₂O₄) as oxidizer. The L110 stage provides the necessary propulsion to carry the payload higher into the atmosphere and to prepare it for the final insertion into orbit. The Vikas engines used in this stage are the result of decades of research and development by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), also located in Thiruvananthapuram.

The third and final stage, known as the C25 cryogenic stage, is powered by the CE-20 cryogenic engine — the most advanced and efficient engine in ISRO’s inventory. It uses super-cooled liquid hydrogen (LH₂) and liquid oxygen (LOX) as propellants. Cryogenic engines are complex but highly efficient, capable of producing a high specific impulse, which allows rockets to carry heavier payloads farther into space. This technology was once beyond India’s reach due to international restrictions, but ISRO’s successful indigenous development of the CE-20 engine has given the country complete autonomy in executing high-capacity space missions.

The CMS-03 Communication Satellite: A Technological Marvel

The CMS-03 satellite that will be launched aboard the LVM3-M5 is designed to enhance India’s communication infrastructure by providing advanced telecommunication, television broadcasting, and broadband connectivity services across the country. The satellite will be placed into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, from which it will gradually maneuver into its final geostationary orbit, approximately 36,000 kilometers above the Earth’s equator. Once operational, CMS-03 is expected to provide extensive coverage, improving data transmission speeds, connectivity reliability, and network reach — especially in remote and rural regions.

CMS-03 continues India’s series of advanced communication satellites, following in the footsteps of previous missions like GSAT-19 and GSAT-29, which also flew on earlier LVM3 rockets. However, CMS-03 is unique in being the heaviest communication satellite ever launched from Indian soil. Until now, India’s heaviest satellite, GSAT-11 (5,854 kg), was launched from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana aboard an Ariane-5 rocket in 2018. The ability to now launch such heavy payloads domestically signifies a major leap in India’s self-reliance in space technology, aligning perfectly with the government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.

Pre-Launch Preparations and Mission Profile

Preparations for the LVM3-M5 mission began several weeks ago, with the rocket components transported to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and assembled in stages. Following assembly, the integrated launch vehicle underwent extensive tests, including stage-level checks, propellant loading simulations, and flight sequence verifications. The fully assembled rocket was then moved to the second launch pad for final pre-launch checks and fueling operations.

The mission timeline will follow a precise sequence. At liftoff, the twin S200 solid boosters will ignite simultaneously, providing the initial thrust to lift the 640-tonne vehicle off the launch pad. After burnout and separation of the boosters, the L110 liquid stage will ignite, propelling the vehicle further into space. Finally, the C25 cryogenic upper stage will fire to inject the CMS-03 satellite into its planned Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. From there, onboard thrusters on the satellite will perform a series of maneuvers to achieve its final geostationary position.

Significance of the LVM3-M5 Mission

The LVM3-M5 mission is not only a technical achievement but also a strategic one. By successfully launching the CMS-03 satellite using an indigenous heavy-lift vehicle, ISRO strengthens India’s position as a key player in the global space industry. It enhances India’s capacity to launch heavier payloads, expands its communication satellite network, and opens opportunities for commercial satellite launches for international clients. Additionally, this mission serves as another demonstration of ISRO’s consistent progress in mastering complex propulsion technologies, precision orbital insertions, and mission reliability.

The LVM3 has already been a part of several historic missions, including the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission in 2019 and the Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023, which successfully soft-landed near the Moon’s south pole. Its versatility and performance have made it ISRO’s preferred choice for flagship missions, including potential future human spaceflights under the Gaganyaan program.

Looking Ahead

The launch of the LVM3-M5 carrying CMS-03 underscores India’s growing prominence in space exploration and satellite technology. With increasing ambitions in both scientific and commercial space missions, ISRO is now focusing on improving payload capacity, reusability, and launch frequency. The success of this mission will further solidify the LVM3’s role as the backbone of India’s future space endeavors, including interplanetary missions and satellite constellations for communication and observation.

As the countdown begins for the November 2 launch, excitement is building across the country. The success of ‘Bahubali’ in placing the heaviest communication satellite from Indian soil into orbit will mark another proud moment in India’s long and illustrious space journey — a testament to decades of dedication, innovation, and engineering excellence by ISRO’s scientists and engineers.