Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 12, 2026

GSAT-7R

GSAT-7R is a multi-band communication satellite developed by ISRO for the Indian Navy. The satellite is meant to replace the existing and operational GSAT-7.

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GSAT-7R
LVM3-M5 equipped with GSAT-7R, being transferred to the Second Launch Pad
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorIndian Navy
COSPAR ID2025-249B
SATCAT no.66311Edit this on Wikidata
WebsiteCMS-03
Mission durationPlanned: 15 years1
Elapsed: 7 months, 6 days
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerU. R. Rao Satellite Centre1
Launch mass4,410 kilograms (9,720 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date2 November 2025, 11:56 (2025-11-02UTC11:56Z) UTC
RocketLVM3-M5
Launch siteSatish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
Entered service2 November 20251
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit

GSAT-7R (also known as CMS-03) is a multi-band communication satellite developed by ISRO for the Indian Navy. The satellite is meant to replace the existing and operational GSAT-7.

Satellite

The satellite, weighing 4,410 kilograms (9,720 lb),21 is meant to transmit voice, video and data among the naval ships, submarines, aircraft and Maritime Operation Centres1 of the Indian Navy deployed across the Indian Ocean Region, covering up to 2,000 km from India's coastline.3

The satellite employs advanced payloads in multiple frequency bands, including UHF, S, C and Ku bands.3 It is also equipped with indigenous components like a 1,200 litre propulsion tank and collapsible antenna systems. It also has a planned lifespan of 15 years.1

The contract for the ₹1,589 crore (US$225.65 million) satellite project was signed on 11 June 2019 between the Indian Navy and the ISRO.45

History

During the time of contract signing in 2019, the projected launch date of the satellite was expected between 20204 and 2022.5By August 2025, the delivery timeline had slipped by few years to November 2025.67 By 23 October, the launch date was scheduled on 2 November.8 The vehicle performance of LMV3-M5 had been enhanced by 10% to accommodate the CMS-03 satellite which is heavier than its payload capacity of 4 tonnes for GTO orbits.1

The satellite assembly and integration with launch vehicle has been completed by early October 2025. The launch vehicle was moved to the launchpad on 26 October and pre-launch procedures were initiated thereafter. It is the heaviest satellite to be launched to the Geostationary Transfer Orbit orbit from India till date.910 A pre flight inspection fixed problems in the fuel control systems that plagued the NVS-02 satellite which used a similar spacecraft bus.1112

On 2 November 2025, at 5:26 pm IST,2 ISRO successfully placed the CMS-03 satellite into the desired orbit through the LVM3-M5 rocket from the Second Launch Pad1 of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.1314 The mission featured an experiment, re-ignition of the cryogenic upper stage. The satellite was separated from the launch vehicle at around 16 minutes in sub-GTO orbit. from launch with a perigee of 26,700 km.1

See also

See also

References

References

  1. "Gsat-7R: Isro launches heaviest communication satellite from India, Navy set to get boost". The Times of India. 3 November 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  2. "Countdown begins for launch of ISRO's heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 for military on November 2". The Hindu. PTI. 1 November 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  3. Singh, Abhinav (21 October 2025). "CMS-02 satellite launch likely in November. Why this is a major upgrade for Indian Navy's operations, maritime defence". The Week. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  4. Pubby, Manu (18 July 2019). "Navy to buy Rs 1,589 crore satellite from ISRO". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 27 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  5. "Isro to build 2nd dedicated satellite for Navy to interlink warships, aircraft". The Times of India. 21 July 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  6. "ISRO to Launch Spy Satellites GSAT-7R and TDS by Year-End, Strengthening Indian Navy's Communication and Surveillance Capabilities". indianmasterminds.com. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  7. Ray, Kalyan (11 September 2025). "Indian Navy to operationalise new info centre in Gurugram today". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  8. "LVM-3 to launch CMS-03 on November 2; Nisar to begin operations soon". The Times of India. 23 October 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  9. "LVM-3, set to launch satellite for Navy on November 2, moves to launchpad". The Times of India. 26 October 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  10. "Satellite for armed forces to be launched next week". The Hindu. 26 October 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  11. Science Desk, India Today (25 February 2026). "A year after NVS-02 satellite's failure, Isro explains what went wrong in space". India Today. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  12. "NVS-02 Spacecraft: On-Orbit Observations and Apex Committee Recommendations". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  13. "ISRO scripts history as 'Bahubali' rocket injects heaviest satellite in orbit". The Hindu. PTI. 2 November 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  14. "ISRO Rocket Launch Today Live Updates: India's heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 successfully placed in intended orbit, mission successfully accomplished". The Indian Express. 2 November 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.