The India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed the launch of LVM3-M5, breaking another record by launching the heaviest communication satellite from Indian soil, the CMS-03.
Celebrating the success of the LVM3-M5 launch, agency chairman V Narayanan said the mission marks the eighth launch of LVM3, continuing its streak of success.
- 01
The mission’s significance
The LVM3-M5 launch marks the first time ISRO has placed a communication satellite weighing over 4,000 kg into a distant geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) from Indian soil. Heavier Indian satellites had been placed into orbit by foreign companies. The 5,854-kg GSAT 11 and 4,181-kg GSAT-24 were launched by French company Ariane space, ISRO’s 4,700-kg GSAT-20 satellite required a launch vehicle from Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
- 02
The payload
The payload, CMS-03, is a multiband communication satellite weighing 4,410 kg. It is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass. It is designed to provide services for at least 15 years. ISRO chairman V Narayanan said the satellite incorporates new technologies and “is a shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat. (self-dependent India)”
- 03
The rocket
The LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), formerly GSLV Mk-3, is ISRO’s most powerful rocket. It is capable of carrying up to 8,000 kg to low Earth orbit and 4,000 kg to geosynchronous orbit. It uses a combination of solid, liquid, and cryogenic engines and has already launched key missions like Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and OneWeb satellites. For this mission, the targeted orbit was lower (around 29,970 km at its highest point) to accommodate the heavier satellite.
- 04
The ‘Bahubali’ upgrade
ISRO modified the rocket to increase its payload capability by 10 per cent compared to the previous LVM3 launch (LVM3-M4) carrying the Chandrayaan 3. The vehicle has been dubbed ‘Bahubali’ for its weight capacity. The vehicle’s cryogenic upper stage was upgraded from the C25 (carrying 28,000 kg fuel and generating 20 tonnes thrust) to a more powerful C32 stage (carrying 32,000 kg of fuel and producing 22-tonne thrust).
- 05
The road ahead
Narayanan said ISRO was targeting seven more launches by March next year. One launch, using the LVM3 rocket, is scheduled for December, he said. The Indian space agency chief said work was going on in full swing for the first uncrewed mission of the Gaganyaan programme, which will send a robotic astronaut, called Vyommitra, into space. ISRO has planned three uncrewed missions before sending astronauts as part of India’s human spaceflight programme.
