Relevance for UPSC (Paper – GS-3 / Subject – Science & Technology & Defence)

On 2 November 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched GSAT-7R (CMS-03) — India’s heaviest communication satellite, weighing about 4,410 kg. It was launched aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket (popularly known as Bahubali) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Key Facts and Features

• Indigenously developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, GSAT-7R is primarily designed for the Indian Navy.
  
• Provides secure and continuous communication coverage across the Indian Ocean Region, supporting ships, submarines, aircraft and maritime command centres.
  
• Operates across multiple frequency bands — UHF, S-band, C-band, and Ku-band, ensuring reliable and encrypted connectivity.
  
• Has a mission life of around 15 years.
  
• The improved LVM3-M5 rocket demonstrated higher payload capacity, enabling India to launch heavy satellites without external assistance.
  

Significance

1. Strategic Defence Strengthening:
   Enhances India’s maritime domain awareness and communication network, strengthening the Navy’s capability for real-time surveillance, coordination, and secure operations.
   
2. Technological Advancement:
   Proves ISRO’s growing mastery in heavy-lift launch vehicles and complex satellite integration, minimizing dependence on foreign technology.
   
3. Economic and Strategic Autonomy:
   Boosts India’s presence in the global satellite communication market, while advancing technological self-reliance.
   
4. Policy Alignment:
   Supports government initiatives like the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) and Space Sector Reforms, which promote domestic manufacturing and private sector participation in strategic projects.
   

Think of GSAT-7R as India’s powerful “space telephone exchange” — enabling the Navy to communicate securely and efficiently across vast oceanic distances, all through home-grown technology.

Key Terms and Definitions

• Geostationary Satellite: A satellite that orbits Earth at the same rotational speed as the planet, appearing fixed over one location — ideal for continuous communication coverage.
  
• LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3): India’s most powerful rocket, capable of carrying heavy payloads to geostationary orbits; also used for Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan missions.
  
• Atmanirbhar Bharat: A government initiative promoting self-reliance by developing indigenous technologies, manufacturing, and defence capabilities.
  
• UHF, S, C, Ku Bands: Different radio frequency ranges used for satellite communication; lower bands penetrate weather better, while higher bands provide higher data capacity.
  
• Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA): The effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact security, economy, or environment.
  

One-line wrap:
The GSAT-7R launch marks a defining step in India’s journey toward strategic self-reliance, uniting innovation in space technology with national defence objectives.

UPSC Prelims Question:
Which of the following statements about GSAT-7R are correct?

1. It is India’s heaviest communication satellite launched to date.
   
2. It is primarily meant for the Indian Navy’s secure maritime communications.
   

It operates across multiple frequency bands including UHF, S, C, and Ku.
Select the correct answer:
A) 1 and 2 only B) 1 and 3 only 

C) 2 and 3 only D) 1, 2 and 3

Ans.: A) 1 and 2 only.