India is preparing to send its heaviest communications satellite into orbit this Sunday. The spacecraft, weighing over 4.4 tonnes, will ride aboard the nation’s largest rocket to date.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed the satellite, called CMS-03, will lift off from the coastal launch site of Sriharikota, located in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The launch window is set for 5:26 p.m. local time (1156 GMT). According to Phys.org, the mission forms part of India’s wider push in space and tech, marking a step forward in both payload capacity and regional coverage.

Since 2008, India’s space ambitions have steadily gained pace. Over the last decade, it has emerged as a significant player in both planetary exploration and satellite deployment. As the world’s most populous nation, it continues to expand its orbital infrastructure with a clear focus on autonomy and scale.

Largest Satellite, Largest Rocket

The CMS-03 satellite will weigh around 4,410 kilograms (9,722 pounds), making it the heaviest communications payload ever launched by the country. It will be carried by the LVM3-M5 rocket, a 43.5-meter-tall launch vehicle described by ISRO as the most powerful in its fleet.

This same launcher was used in the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, which successfully delivered an unmanned craft to the Moon’s surface in August 2023. That mission placed India among a select group of nations, Russia, the United States, and China, to have achieved a controlled landing on the Moon.

ISRO has not disclosed changes to the rocket since that flight, but Phys.org reports that the LVM3 variant being used Sunday is considered an “upgraded version” of the Chandrayaan-3 vehicle.

Extended Coverage Over Land And Sea

CMS-03 will provide communications services over a wide oceanic region, in addition to covering the entire Indian landmass, according to ISRO. The satellite’s exact specifications remain unpublished, but its scale suggests a significant expansion in operational range.

The agency emphasized that the mission is designed to enhance connectivity infrastructure, particularly in regions where terrestrial networks are limited or inconsistent. As the report notes, the satellite is expected to offer expanded capabilities not only for civilian use but also for supporting India’s broader communication objectives across land and sea.

🚀 India’s Space Milestones

•1962 – INCOSPAR formed under the Department of Atomic Energy
•1969 – ISRO established
•1975 – Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, launched
•1980 – SLV-3 successfully places Rohini RS-1 in orbit
•2008 – Chandrayaan-1 launched
•2013 – Mars… pic.twitter.com/1HqKEgeRou

— Cata Paul (@CataPaul2) October 30, 2025

Milestone Mission For India’s Space Roadmap

India’s space program has steadily expanded since its first mission to the Moon. Over the past several years, it has taken on more ambitious projects and continues to move forward with clear milestones. Phys.org notes that ISRO plans to launch an uncrewed orbital mission before attempting its first human spaceflight in 2027.

The Indian government has also set its sights further. As Phys.org reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the country’s goal of sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040. These plans reflect a long-term commitment to developing national capabilities in both spaceflight and exploration.

The upcoming launch of CMS-03 adds to this progression. With a payload heavier than any communication satellite previously launched by India, it signals both technical advancement and broader strategic intent.