Leopoldo10S at 11:45, 25 February 2026

2026-02-25T11:45:45Z

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{{Short description|Indian military communication satellite}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = GSAT-7R
| image = LVM3-M5, CMS-03 — Fully integrated launch vehicle being transferred from VAB to SLP 05.webp
| image_caption = LVM3-M5 equipped with GSAT-7R, being transferred to the Second Launch Pad
| image_size = 290px
| mission_type = [[Communications satellite|Communication]]
| operator = [[Indian Navy]]
| COSPAR_ID =
| SATCAT =
| website = [https://www.isro.gov.in/LVM3_M5_CMS_03_MISSION.html CMS-03]
| mission_duration = Planned: 15 years<ref name=":6" /><br> Elapsed: {{time interval|2 November 2025|show=ymd|sep=,}}
| spacecraft_bus =
| manufacturer = [[U. R. Rao Satellite Centre]]<ref name=":6" />
| dry_mass =
| launch_mass = {{convert|4410|kg}}
| power = 
| launch_date = {{start-date|2 November 2025, 11:56|timezone=yes}}{{nbsp}}UTC
| launch_rocket = [[LVM3|LVM3-M5]]
| launch_site = [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]], [[Sriharikota]]
| launch_contractor =
| entered_service = 2 November 2025<ref name=":6" />
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| orbit_reference = [[Geocentric orbit]]
| orbit_regime = [[Geostationary orbit]]
| orbit_longitude =
| orbit_slot =
| apsis = gee
| trans_band =
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage =
| trans_TWTA =
| trans_EIRP =
| trans_HPBW =
| programme = [[GSAT|CMS Series]]
| previous_mission = [[GSAT-24|CMS-02]]
| next_mission =
| programme2 = [[GSAT]]
| previous_mission2 = [[GSAT-20]]
| next_mission2 = [[GSAT-32]]
}}

'''GSAT-7R''' (also known as '''CMS-03''') is a multi-band communication satellite developed by [[ISRO]] for the [[Indian Navy]]. The satellite is meant to replace the existing and operational [[GSAT-7]].

== Satellite ==
The satellite, weighing {{convert|4410|kg}},<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |agency=PTI |date=2025-11-01 |title=Countdown begins for launch of ISRO’s heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 for military on November 2 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/countdown-begins-for-launch-of-isros-heaviest-communication-satellite-cms-03-for-military-on-november-2/article70230682.ece |access-date=2025-11-02 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=2025-11-03 |title=Gsat-7R: Isro launches heaviest communication satellite from India, Navy set to get boost |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gsat-7r-isro-launches-heaviest-commsat-from-india-navy-set-to-get-boost/articleshow/125044028.cms |access-date=2025-11-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> is meant to transmit voice, video and data among the naval ships, submarines, aircraft and Maritime Operation Centres<ref name=":6" /> of the [[Indian Navy]] deployed across the [[Indian Ocean]] Region, covering up to 2,000 km from India's coastline.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Abhinav |date=2025-10-21 |title=CMS-02 satellite launch likely in November. Why this is a major upgrade for Indian Navy's operations, maritime defence |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/defence/2025/10/21/cms-02-satellite-launch-likely-in-november-why-this-is-a-major-upgrade-for-indian-navys-operations-maritime-defence.html |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref>

The satellite employs advanced payloads in multiple frequency bands, including [[UHF]], [[S band|S]], [[C band (IEEE)|C]] and [[Ku band|Ku]] bands.<ref name=":1" /> It is also equipped with indigenous components like a 1,200 litre propulsion tank and collapsible antenna systems. It also has a planned lifespan of 15 years.<ref name=":6" />

The contract for the {{INRConvert|1589|c|lk=on|year=2019|mode=historical}} satellite project was signed in 11 June 2019 between the Indian Navy and the [[ISRO]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Pubby |first=Manu |date=2019-07-18 |title=Navy to buy Rs 1,589 crore satellite from ISRO |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/navy-to-buy-rs-1589-crore-satellite-from-isro/articleshow/70283927.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251027093048/https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/navy-to-buy-rs-1589-crore-satellite-from-isro/amp_articleshow/70283927.cms |archive-date=2025-10-27 |access-date=2025-10-27 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2019-07-21 |title=Isro to build 2nd dedicated satellite for Navy to interlink warships, aircraft |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/isro-to-build-2nd-dedicated-satellite-for-navy-to-interlink-warships-aircraft/articleshow/70310935.cms |access-date=2025-10-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== History ==
During the time of contract signing in 2019, the projected launch date of the satellite was expected between 2020<ref name=":2" /> and 2022.<ref name=":3" />By August 2025, the delivery timeline had slipped by few years to November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-20 |title=ISRO to Launch Spy Satellites GSAT-7R and TDS by Year-End, Strengthening Indian Navy’s Communication and Surveillance Capabilities |url=https://indianmasterminds.com/news/isro-to-launch-spy-satellites-gsat-7r-and-tds-by-year-end-strengthening-indian-navys-communication-and-surveillance-capabilities-138482/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=indianmasterminds.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Kalyan |date=2025-09-11 |title=Indian Navy to operationalise new info centre in Gurugram today |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/indian-navy-to-operationalise-new-info-centre-in-gurugram-today-3723886 |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> By 23 October, the launch date was scheduled on 2 November.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-10-23 |title=LVM-3 to launch CMS-03 on November 2; Nisar to begin operations soon |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/lvm-3-to-launch-cms-03-on-november-2-nisar-to-begin-operations-soon/articleshow/124758812.cms |access-date=2025-11-02 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The vehicle performance of LMV3-M5 had been enhanced by 10% to accommodate the CMS-03 satellite which is heavier than its payload capacity of 4 tonnes for GTO orbits.<ref name=":6" />

The satellite assembly and integration with launch vehicle has been completed by early October 2025. The launch vehicle was moved to the launchpad on 26 October and pre-launch procedures were initiated thereafter. It is the heaviest satellite to be launched to the [[Geostationary Transfer Orbit]] orbit from India till date.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2025-10-26 |title=LVM-3, set to launch satellite for Navy on November 2, moves to launchpad |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/lvm-3-set-to-launch-satellite-for-navy-on-november-2-moves-to-launchpad/articleshow/124829075.cms |access-date=2025-10-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=2025-10-26 |title=Satellite for armed forces to be launched next week |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-to-launch-military-communications-satellite-cms-03-on-november-2/article70205060.ece |access-date=2025-10-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> A pre flight inspection fixed problems in the fuel control systems that plagued the [[NVS-02]] satellite which used a similar spacecraft bus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Science Desk |first=India Today |date=2026-02-25 |title=A year after NVS-02 satellite's failure, Isro explains what went wrong in space |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/nvs-02-satellite-failure-reason-isro-explains-lvm-3-mission-2874191-2026-02-25 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NVS-02 Spacecraft: On-Orbit Observations and Apex Committee Recommendations |url=https://www.isro.gov.in/NVS-02-Spacecraft-On-Orbit-Observations.html |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=www.isro.gov.in}}</ref>

On 2 November 2025, at 5:26 pm [[Indian Standard Time|IST]],<ref name=":5" /> ISRO successfully placed the CMS-03 satellite into the desired orbit through the LVM3-M5 rocket from the Second Launch Pad<ref name=":6" /> of the [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]], [[Sriharikota]].<ref>{{Cite news |agency=PTI |date=2025-11-02 |title=ISRO scripts history as ‘Bahubali’ rocket injects heaviest satellite in orbit |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isros-lvm3-m5-rocket-with-heaviest-communication-satellite-lifts-off/article70232624.ece |access-date=2025-11-02 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-02 |title=ISRO Rocket Launch Today Live Updates: India’s heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 successfully placed in intended orbit, mission successfully accomplished |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/isro-rocket-launch-today-live-updates-heaviest-communication-satellite-cms-03-liftoff-sriharikota-lvm3-10341199/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The mission featured an experiment, re-ignition of the cryogenic upper stage. The satellite was separated from the launch vehicle at around 16 minutes in sub-GTO orbit. from launch with a [[perigee]] of 26,700 km.<ref name=":6" />

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[GSAT-7A]]
* [[GSAT]]
* [[Indian National Satellite System]]
* [[List of Indian satellites]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{GSAT Satellites}}
{{Indian spacecraft}}

[[Category:GSAT satellites]]
[[Category:2025 in spaceflight]]
[[Category:2025 in India]]

{{Communications-satellite-stub}}

GSAT-7R - Revision history

Leopoldo10S at 11:45, 25 February 2026