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 Template:Convert,[1][2] is meant to transmit voice, video and data among the naval ships, submarines, aircraft and Maritime Operation Centres[2] of the Indian Navy deployed across the Indian Ocean Region, covering up to 2,000 km from India's coastline.[3]
The satellite employs advanced payloads in multiple frequency bands, including UHF, S, C and Ku bands.[3] 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.[2]
The contract for the Template:INRConvert satellite project was signed in 11 June 2019 between the Indian Navy and the ISRO.[4][5]
History
During the time of contract signing in 2019, the projected launch date of the satellite was expected between 2020[4] and 2022.[5]By August 2025, the delivery timeline had slipped by few years to November 2025.[6][7] By 23 October, the launch date was scheduled on 2 November.[8] 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.[2]
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.[9][10] A pre flight inspection fixed problems in the fuel control systems that plagued the NVS-02 satellite which used a similar spacecraft bus.[11][12]
On 2 November 2025, at 5:26 pm IST,[1] ISRO successfully placed the CMS-03 satellite into the desired orbit through the LVM3-M5 rocket from the Second Launch Pad[2] of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.[13][14] 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.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Countdown begins for launch of ISRO’s heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 for military on November 2. The Hindu(2025-11-01). Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Gsat-7R: Isro launches heaviest communication satellite from India, Navy set to get boost. The Times of India(2025-11-03). Retrieved 2025-11-03.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 CMS-02 satellite launch likely in November. Why this is a major upgrade for Indian Navy's operations, maritime defence, Singh, Abhinav. The Week(2025-10-21). Retrieved 2025-10-22.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Navy to buy Rs 1,589 crore satellite from ISRO. The Economic Times(2019-07-18). Retrieved 2025-10-27.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Isro to build 2nd dedicated satellite for Navy to interlink warships, aircraft. The Times of India(2019-07-21). Retrieved 2025-10-27.
- ↑ ISRO to Launch Spy Satellites GSAT-7R and TDS by Year-End, Strengthening Indian Navy’s Communication and Surveillance Capabilities. indianmasterminds.com(2025-08-20). Retrieved 2025-09-12.
- ↑ Indian Navy to operationalise new info centre in Gurugram today, Ray, Kalyan. Deccan Herald(2025-09-11). Retrieved 2025-09-12.
- ↑ LVM-3 to launch CMS-03 on November 2; Nisar to begin operations soon. The Times of India(2025-10-23). Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- ↑ LVM-3, set to launch satellite for Navy on November 2, moves to launchpad. The Times of India(2025-10-26). Retrieved 2025-10-27.
- ↑ Satellite for armed forces to be launched next week. The Hindu(2025-10-26). Retrieved 2025-10-27.
- ↑ A year after NVS-02 satellite's failure, Isro explains what went wrong in space, Science Desk, India Today. India Today(2026-02-25). Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ↑ NVS-02 Spacecraft: On-Orbit Observations and Apex Committee Recommendations. www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ↑ ISRO scripts history as ‘Bahubali’ rocket injects heaviest satellite in orbit. The Hindu(2025-11-02). Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- ↑ ISRO Rocket Launch Today Live Updates: India’s heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 successfully placed in intended orbit, mission successfully accomplished. The Indian Express(2025-11-02). Retrieved 2025-11-02.