LVM-3, scheduled to deploy a satellite for the Navy on November 2, has been transported to the launchpad

ISRO transported the LVM-3 launch vehicle to the launchpad in Sriharikota, where it is set to launch the CMS-03 or Gsat-7R satellite intended for the Indian Navy. The launch, originally anticipated for late 2024, has been postponed. The satellite will utilize multiple frequency bands to facilitate the transmission of voice, video, and data among naval vessels, submarines, and aircraft, thereby enhancing India’s maritime defense capabilities. This mission marks the fifth operational flight of the rocket, which will take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) carrying a 4,400kg payload, making it the heaviest communication satellite ever launched to the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian territory. “CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite designed to offer services across a vast oceanic area, including the Indian landmass. The LVM3 mission successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made India the first nation to land near the lunar south pole,” stated Isro. With the LVM-3 now positioned on the launchpad, Isro has initiated pre-launch activities for the mission, which had been closely monitored due to cyclone forecasts. “The cyclone’s trajectory has shifted, and we are now prepared for a launch on November 2,” a source indicated. As per the reports, Isro was targeting a second launch on November 2. Following the CMS-03 launch, Isro plans to conduct another LVM-3 mission to deploy the US private communication satellite Bluebird. “We are aiming for the first week of December,” Narayanan informed.