Isro to give Navy big boost in sea communication with new satellite launch on Nov 2

NEW DELHI: Isro is set to hugely boost Indian Navy’s satellite-linked communication network by launching Gsat-7R (codeword CMS-03) from the Sriharikota spaceport on Nov 2. Gsat-7R, being considered the heaviest-ever communication satellite to be launched from Indian soil, will replace the aging satellite Gsat-7 (Rukmini), which is the backbone of naval communications on high seas at present.

‘Rukmini’ has enabled secure real-time links between warships, submarines, aircraft and shore-based command centres across the Indian Ocean.


With upgraded payloads, Gsat-7R or CMS-03 is designed to expand secure, multi-band communications for the Navy’s growing blue-water operations. Multi-band frequencies — UHF, S, C and Ku bands — will help transmit voice, video and data between warships, submarines and aircraft. The enhanced coverage will boost manifold India’s network-centric warfare capabilities and extend the Navy’s operational reach across critical maritime domains. CMS-03 will provide real-time communication for naval operations, air defence and strategic command control across a wide oceanic and terrestrial region.

India's LVM3 rocket will be used to launch CMS-03, in what will be its fifth operational flight from Sriharikota. “The previous mission of LVM3 launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission, wherein India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole,” Isro said in a statement.

“CMS-03 is a multiband communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass,” it said. It will provide sharper connectivity and increased bandwidth for civil, strategic and maritime users. Though Cyclone Montha has hit the Andhra Pradesh coast, a change in its direction has ensured that Isro’s satellite mission remains on schedule.

The launch vehicle, LVM-3, has been fully assembled and integrated with the spacecraft and was moved to the launchpad on Oct 26 for further pre-launch operations, Isro said.

Isro usually prefers launching heavier communication satellites from the European spaceport in French Guiana. This is the first time it will launch an around 4.4-tonne satellite from Indian soil. Isro had earlier launched Gsat-11, weighing 5,854 kg, from French Guiana using the services of Ariane-5 rocket, on Dec 5, 2018. While it is the heaviest satellite built by Isro so far, it was sent into space from a foreign spaceport.

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