ISRO’s LVM3 rocket launches GSAT-7R

Why in News:

ISRO successfully launched CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket from Sriharikota, marking India’s heaviest communication satellite launch to Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Background

• Earlier, India depended on foreign launchers, particularly Europe’s Ariane-5, for satellites exceeding 3,000 kg. Example: GSAT-11 (5,800 kg) launched in 2018 using Ariane-5.
• With CMS-03, ISRO has demonstrated independent heavy-lift capability using the LVM3 rocket, the same vehicle that launched Chandrayaan-3 (2023).

CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) Mission:

Source: ISRO About the Mission

• Launch Date: November 2, 2025
• Launch Vehicle: LVM3-M5 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) — its fifth operational flight.
• Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• Satellite Type: Multi-band communication satellite designed to provide secure communication across the Indian landmass and surrounding oceanic region.
• Weight: Approximately 4,400 kg — the heaviest communication satellite launched by India into Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
• Mission Life: 15 years
• Orbit Profile: Placed initially in Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO); will move to Geostationary Orbit (35,786 km) using onboard propulsion.

Capabilities:

• Payload: Advanced multi-band transponders enabling voice, data, and video transmission.
• Coverage Area: Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and Indian mainland.
• Primary Objective: To provide secure, high-capacity communication and enhance maritime domain awareness for the Indian Navy.

Significance

• Replacement of GSAT-7 (Rukmini): Successor to the 2013 GSAT-7 satellite, now at the end of its operational life.
• Indigenous Development: Fully designed and developed in India, reflecting Aatmanirbhar Bharat in space technology.
• Strategic Autonomy: Reduces dependence on foreign launchers like Europe’s Ariane-5, previously used for heavier payloads (e.g., GSAT-11, 2018).
• Strengthens National Security: Enhances naval communication, surveillance, and maritime operational capabilities in the IOR.
• Supports Future Missions: Demonstrates LVM3’s heavy-lift potential and cryogenic engine re-ignition capability, aiding Gaganyaan and future deep-space missions.

About Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3)

About:

• LVM-3, earlier known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (GSLV Mk-3), is India’s most powerful operational rocket, developed by ISRO.
• It uses three propulsion stages —
  • First stage: Solid-fuel boosters (S200)
  • Second stage: Liquid-fuel engine (L110)
  • Third stage: Cryogenic upper stage (C25) using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
• Payload Capacity:
  • Up to 8,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (≈ 2,000 km altitude)
  • Up to 4,000 kg to Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) (≈ 36,000 km altitude).

Major Achievements

• Chandrayaan-2 (2019) and Chandrayaan-3 (2023) lunar missions — both launched by LVM-3, showcasing high reliability.
• Gaganyaan Programme (2014): Carried India’s first Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Test (CARE), a precursor to human spaceflight.
• OneWeb Satellites (2022): Successfully launched 72 communication satellites to LEO during the Russia-Ukraine war, filling the global launcher gap.
• These missions proved LVM-3’s versatility in handling scientific, commercial, and strategic payloads, prompting ISRO to rebrand it from “GSLV Mk-3” to “LVM-3.”

Upgrades and Future Enhancements

Semi-Cryogenic Engine Upgrade:

• • ISRO plans to replace the liquid (L110) stage with a semi-cryogenic stage using refined kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen.
  • This upgrade will increase payload capacity to nearly 10,000 kg in LEO.

Support for Future Missions:

• • Designed to power future projects like the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (Indian Space Station) and advanced lunar exploration missions.

Next-Generation Development:

• • Work underway on the Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV) — projected to carry up to 80,000 kg, marking a leap toward heavy-lift and deep-space capabilities.

Significance

• Serves as India’s “Bahubali Rocket”, symbolizing indigenous heavy-lift capability.
• Strengthens strategic autonomy by reducing dependence on foreign launchers.
• Acts as a core vehicle for Gaganyaan (human spaceflight) and future interplanetary missions.

Image Source: ISRO .

Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO): About Elliptical transfer orbit used to move satellites from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO). Serves as a bridge orbit for placing heavy communication satellites efficiently. Key Characteristics Orbital Period: Same as Earth’s rotation — 23h 56m 4s. Shape: Highly elliptical — Perigee: Near LEO (~few hundred km) Apogee: Near GEO (~35,786 km) Inclination: Can be tilted; not necessarily equatorial like GEO. Relation to GEO Geosynchronous orbit: Same period as Earth but can be inclined. Geostationary orbit (GEO): Circular + equatorial — satellite appears fixed over one longitude. Satellites are first placed in GTO, then moved to GEO using onboard propulsion. Significance Ensures fuel-efficient transfer for heavy satellites. Used for communication and weather satellites (e.g., GSAT, INSAT, CMS series). Common in ISRO missions like CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) and GSAT-11 for achieving precise geostationary positioning.

ISRO’s Launch Vehicle Family

Source: ISRO

UPSC PYQ

Q. With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2018)

1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring, whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 3 only ✅ Correct Answer: (a) 1 only Explanation: Statement 1 – Correct:

• PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is mainly used for launching Earth observation, remote sensing, and resource monitoring satellites into Polar or Sun-synchronous orbits (LEO).
• GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) is designed to launch communication satellites into Geostationary orbits (GEO).

Statement 2 – Incorrect:

• Satellites launched by PSLV are placed in Polar or Sun-synchronous orbits, where they move relative to Earth’s surface and do not appear fixed.
• Satellites that appear fixed in the sky are those in Geostationary orbit, launched by GSLV, not PSLV.

Statement 3 – Incorrect:

• GSLV Mk III (now called LVM-3) is a three-stage vehicle, not four-stage.
  • 1st stage: Two solid strap-on boosters (S200)
  • 2nd stage: Liquid core stage (L110)
  • 3rd stage: Cryogenic upper stage (C25)
• Hence, the description in the statement is wrong

CARE MCQ

Q. With reference to the CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) satellite, consider the following statements:

1. It is designed to enhance the Indian Navy’s communication and maritime domain awareness.
2. It will provide services only over India’s landmass, excluding oceanic regions.
3. It replaces the GSAT-7 satellite launched in 2013.

How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Answer: (b) Only two

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) is specifically designed to strengthen the Indian Navy’s communication network and improve maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: The satellite covers both the Indian landmass and surrounding oceanic region, not just the land area. Hence, this statement is wrong.
• Statement 3 – Correct: CMS-03 acts as a replacement for GSAT-7, which was launched in 2013 aboard the Ariane-5 rocket and has reached the end of its operational life