GSAT-7R, also designated CMS-02, is India’s upcoming dedicated military communications satellite designed primarily for the Indian Navy. It is being developed by ISRO to replace GSAT-7 (nicknamed Rukmini), which has been in service since 2013. Much like its predecessor, GSAT-7R will provide secure, real-time communication links between ships, submarines, aircraft, and ground stations, but with improved performance, resilience, and wider coverage.

The satellite is expected to weigh around 2,650 kilograms (5,840 lbs) and will be placed into geostationary orbit. The approved project cost is around ₹1,589 crore (about US $225 million).

The LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), formerly known as GSLV Mk III, is India’s most powerful operational launch vehicle, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is designed to carry heavier payloads into space and plays a crucial role in India’s ambitions for both commercial satellite launches and deep space exploration. First launched in 2014 as a suborbital test flight and then fully operational by 2017, the LVM3 has since become the backbone of ISRO's heavy-lift missions. It notably launched the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission and is slated for use in the upcoming Gaganyaan crewed spaceflight program.

Specs

Height: 43.43 m (142.5 ft)

Diameter: 4 m (13 ft)

Mass: 640,000 kg (1,410,000 lb)

Stages: 3

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 10,000 kg (22,000 lb)

Payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): 4,300 kg (9,500 lb)

The LVM3 is a three-stage vehicle consisting of two large S200 solid rocket boosters strapped to either side of the core stage, a liquid-fueled L110 core powered by twin Vikas engines, and a C25 cryogenic upper stage that uses a CE-20 engine fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The vehicle is built to be modular, cost-effective, and capable of handling both governmental and commercial payloads, positioning India as a competitive player in the global launch market.

Image courtesy of ISRO.

The Second Launch Pad (SLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, India, is one of ISRO’s primary launch complexes. Operational since 2005, it was developed to support the growing number of satellite launches and to reduce dependence on the older First Launch Pad. The SLP is a versatile and modular facility, capable of launching all of ISRO's current rockets, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III).

Located on the eastern coast of India, the site allows for launches over the Bay of Bengal, ideal for a range of orbital inclinations. The SLP features a Mobile Service Tower (MST) and a Fixed Umbilical Tower (FUT) for vehicle integration, fueling, and payload access, enhancing launch preparation efficiency and safety. It has been used for major missions like Chandrayaan, Mars Orbiter Mission, and several NavIC satellites.

Image courtesy of ISRO.