CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) - ISRO’s Military Communication Satellite
Overview
Launched by: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Launch Date: November 2, 2025
Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota
Launch Vehicle: LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3)
Orbit: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)
Mass: ~4,400 kg Heaviest communication satellite launched from Indian soil
Alternate Name: GSAT-7R
Purpose and Significance
Type: Multi-band military communication satellite
Coverage: Indian landmass and wide oceanic regions (especially Indian Ocean Region).
Objective:
To provide secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communication for India’s armed forces.
To enhance inter-service communication (Army, Navy, Air Force).
To improve situational awareness and coordination during strategic operations.
GSAT Defence Communication Series
Satellite | User / Purpose |
GSAT-7 | Indian Navy — secure maritime communication. |
GSAT-7A | Indian Air Force — interlinking airbases and aircraft. |
GSAT-7B | For Indian Army (under development). |
GSAT-7C | Cyber warfare support and communication enhancement. |
GSAT-7R / CMS-03 | Next-gen tri-services communication satellite replacing GSAT-7. |
Highlights
Launch Vehicle: LVM3 (also used for Chandrayaan-3, OneWeb missions).
Payload: Multi-band transponders enabling wideband communication.
Orbit: GTO → Later shifted to Geostationary Orbit (~36,000 km).
Significance:
Enhances India’s defence communication infrastructure.
Boosts network-centric warfare capabilities.
Improves real-time coordination in sea-air-land operations.
Associated Developments
Last LVM3 mission before CMS-03: Chandrayaan-3 (July 2023).
Reflects India’s growing capability in indigenous heavy-lift launch vehicles.
Strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat in Space & Defence sectors.
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to the CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) satellite, consider the following statements:
It is India’s first military communication satellite designed exclusively for the Indian Air Force.
It will be launched using the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3).
It will provide communication coverage over both land and oceanic regions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect — CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) serves all armed forces, not just the Air Force.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the LVM3 launch vehicle:
LVM3 is India’s heaviest operational launch vehicle.
It was previously used for Chandrayaan-3 and OneWeb missions.
It can only place satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 2 only
✅ Answer: A
Explanation:
LVM3 can place satellites in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) — statement 3 is incorrect.
Q. Match the following launch vehicles with their recent missions:
Launch Vehicle | Recent Mission |
(a) PSLV | (1) Aditya-L1 |
(b) LVM3 | (2) Chandrayaan-3, CMS-03 |
(c) SSLV | (3) EOS-02 |
(d) GSLV-F12 | (4) NVS-01 (Navigation satellite) |
Select the correct code:
A. a–1, b–2, c–3, d–4
B. a–3, b–4, c–1, d–2
C. a–2, b–1, c–3, d–4
D. a–1, b–3, c–4, d–2
✅ Answer: A