New Delhi | Nov 2, 2025 | Sky Link Times
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the GSAT-7R (CMS-03) communication satellite — India’s most advanced and heaviest naval communication satellite — from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Sunday.
Developed indigenously under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the satellite aims to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s space-based communications and maritime domain awareness capabilities, according to the Ministry of Defence.
A Quantum Leap in Naval Connectivity
Weighing around 4,400 kilograms, GSAT-7R is the heaviest communication satellite ever built in India. It has been designed with state-of-the-art indigenous components tailored to meet the Navy’s operational requirements, offering secure, high-bandwidth, multi-band communication coverage across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The satellite’s payload includes transponders supporting voice, data, and video links across C, Extended C, and Ku bands, ensuring seamless and secure communications between ships, aircraft, submarines, and Maritime Operations Centres.
“CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass,” ISRO said in a statement.
LVM3-M5 to Carry GSAT-7R Into Orbit
The satellite will be launched using LVM3-M5, India’s heaviest operational launch vehicle, capable of carrying payloads of up to 4,000 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
The LVM3 has already powered several major missions, including Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first nation to successfully land near the lunar south pole. The GSAT-7R mission will mark the fifth operational flight of the LVM3 vehicle.
“The launch vehicle has been fully assembled and integrated with the spacecraft and moved to the launch pad on October 26 for pre-launch operations,” ISRO confirmed.
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Successor to GSAT-7 ‘Rukmini’
The GSAT-7R will replace and upgrade the existing GSAT-7 “Rukmini” satellite, launched in 2013, which currently serves as the primary communication link for the Indian Navy.
Unlike its predecessor, GSAT-7R features enhanced payload capacity, expanded coverage, and improved encryption, enabling real-time coordination of naval assets and strengthening India’s maritime surveillance network.
With its enhanced multi-band connectivity, the GSAT-7R will help integrate India’s space, air, and sea-based assets, improving operational readiness and situational awareness across the vast Indian Ocean Region — an area of growing geopolitical importance.
Strategic Boost to Aatmanirbhar Defence Goals
Officials said the GSAT-7R mission reflects the Navy’s determination to leverage indigenous technology for maritime security and aligns with India’s long-term vision of self-reliance in defence space systems.
“In an era of complex security challenges, GSAT-7R represents the Navy’s commitment to protecting national maritime interests through technological advancement and Aatmanirbharta,” a Defence Ministry official stated.
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