Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has officially commenced the final countdown for its highly anticipated LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, as announced in a recent update from the agency. All preparations are complete, and the launch vehicle, LVM3, has been fully assembled, integrated with the CMS-03 satellite, and positioned at the launch pad at SDSC-SHAR, signalling that all systems are “go” for liftoff.

Scheduled for launch on November 2, 2025, the LVM3-M5 mission will mark the fifth operational flight of ISRO’s heavy-lift LVM3 vehicle. The centrepiece of this mission, CMS-03, is a sophisticated multi-band communication satellite designed to provide strategic communication coverage across a broad oceanic region, including the entire Indian subcontinent. At a mass of approximately 4,400 kg, CMS-03 will be the heaviest communication satellite ever launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil.

The mission follows the LVM3’s last high-profile success, the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, which made global headlines by making India the first nation to successfully land near the Moon’s south pole. ISRO’s successful track record with the LVM3 has positioned it as a reliable workhorse for ambitious satellite and interplanetary missions alike.

The successful deployment of CMS-03 is expected to significantly augment India’s communication infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and data services over land and ocean alike.