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India has achieved a historic milestone by launching its largest communication satellite ever on Sunday, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s space exploration endeavors.
The CMS-03 satellite was successfully launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh at 5:26 pm local time (11:56 GMT). Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the country’s space program, emphasizing that its progress continues to instill national pride. He also expressed his aspiration for India to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
With a mass of approximately 4,410 kilograms (9,722 pounds), the CMS-03 is recognized as India’s heaviest communication satellite to date, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The satellite is expected to strengthen secure communication links among ships, aircraft, and submarines, as per the Indian Navy’s statement.
The satellite was deployed into orbit via the formidable LVM3-M5 launch vehicle, which stands 43.5 meters (about 143 feet) tall. This rocket variant is an upgraded model derived from the one used earlier this year to send India’s uncrewed lunar lander.
India’s space ambitions have been growing over the past decade, with the country’s space program expanding rapidly. Notably, Shubhanshu Shukla, a test pilot with the Indian Air Force, became the second Indian to go to space this year and the first to reach the International Space Station. This achievement is seen as a pivotal step toward India’s planned crewed mission in 2027.
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