ISRO Shares Sneak Peek of Final Preparations as Countdown Begins for LVM3-M5 Launch

ISRO Releases Final Prep Video Ahead of LVM3-M5 Launch Carrying India’s Heaviest Communication Satellite CMS-03.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for a landmark mission on Sunday, November 2, with the scheduled launch of its 4,410-kg communication satellite CMS-03 aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket—famously nicknamed ‘Bahubali’ for its heavy-lift capability.

Standing 43.5 metres tall, the LVM3-M5 will lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 5:26 PM, marking the fifth operational flight of India’s most powerful rocket.

ISRO Shares Countdown Video

Ahead of the launch, ISRO shared a video showcasing final integration and checks, capturing the team’s preparations and the rollout of the fully assembled launch vehicle to the pad.

India’s Heaviest Satellite to Be Launched from Home Soil

CMS-03, weighing over 4 tonnes, will be the heaviest satellite launched from Indian soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Once operational, it will provide advanced communication coverage across India and surrounding oceanic regions.

About the LVM3-M5 Rocket

The three-stage LVM3-M5 includes:

• Two S200 solid boosters
• A L110 liquid core stage powered by twin Vikas engines
• A C25 cryogenic upper stage

The LVM3 can carry 4,000 kg to GTO and 8,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit, underscoring ISRO’s growing heavy-lift capability.

Continuing the Legacy of Chandrayaan-3

The LVM3’s previous flight powered the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved India’s historic soft landing near the lunar south pole in 2023. With CMS-03, ISRO aims to boost the nation’s digital communication infrastructure and reaffirm its position among leading global space agencies.