India Launches Heaviest-Ever Communication Satellite to Boost Maritime Security and Connectivity

India’s space ambitions soared higher on Sunday as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its heaviest-ever communication satellite, CMS-03, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The satellite, weighing approximately 4,410 kilograms (9,722 pounds), lifted off at 5:26 p.m. local time (11:56 GMT), marking a new milestone in India’s rapidly advancing space programme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the achievement, describing it as yet another proud moment for the nation’s space sector.

“Our space sector continues to make us proud! This launch underscores India’s growing capabilities and determination to explore new frontiers,” he said in a post-launch statement.

According to ISRO, CMS-03 is the heaviest communication satellite ever launched by the country and is designed to enhance secure, high-capacity communication links for various users, including the Indian Navy, which has already highlighted the satellite’s strategic importance.

In a statement, the Indian Navy said the satellite would play a crucial role in strengthening communication links across its ships, submarines, and aircraft, ensuring real-time data transfer and mission coordination across the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean.

The launch comes amid India’s ongoing push to expand its footprint in space exploration and satellite technology.

In recent years, ISRO has achieved several groundbreaking feats, including the successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing and the Aditya-L1 solar mission.

The Modi administration has set even more ambitious targets for the coming decades, including sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040 and developing an indigenous space station by 2035.

Sunday’s successful launch of CMS-03 reaffirms India’s growing prominence as a global space power combining technological innovation, national security interests, and international cooperation in its march toward becoming a leader in the new space age.