Isro’s ‘Bahubali’ rocket lifts off from Sriharikota with heaviest satellite CMS-03 on board

In a major milestone for India’s space programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully launched its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket — nicknamed ‘Bahubali’ for its massive lifting power — at 5:26 pm on Sunday (November 2, 2025) from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

The 43.5-metre-tall LVM3-M5 carried the 4,410-kg CMS-03 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The mission marks Isro’s heaviest satellite launch from Indian soil, a significant step toward achieving complete self-reliance in heavy-lift capabilities.

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According to mission updates, the rocket’s L110 stage began operations as planned, with the launch progressing nominally.

This is a developing story.