Overview
- LVM3-M5 lifted off from Sriharikota at 5:26 pm IST on November 2, with CMS-03 separating about 16–20 minutes later near 179–180 km altitude.
- ISRO said the 4,410 kg spacecraft was precisely injected into the intended geosynchronous transfer orbit, marking the rocket’s fifth operational flight.
- Independent analyses described a sub-GTO parking profile (~170 km × ~29,970 km) to be followed by Liquid Apogee Motor burns over several days to reach geostationary orbit.
- CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) is an indigenously built, multi-band satellite for the Indian Navy to deliver secure voice, data and video links across ships, submarines, aircraft and shore centres, replacing GSAT-7 (2013).
- The mission underscores growing self-reliance after earlier heavy satellites launched on Ariane rockets, with CMS-03 designed for at least 15 years of service over the Indian Ocean region.