Source: TH
Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) communication satellite in November, aboard the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) from Sriharikota.
About GSAT-7R Satellite:
What it is?
- GSAT-7R, also called CMS-03, is a next-generation military communication satellite developed by ISRO to replace the aging GSAT-7A. It ensures robust, encrypted, and long-range communication links for the Indian Navy, Air Force, and Army.
Developed by: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Aim:
- To provide reliable, real-time communication for naval operations, air defence, and strategic command control across a wide oceanic and terrestrial region. It strengthens India’s network-centric warfare and maritime domain awareness.
Key Features:
- Multi-Band Communication: Operates across Ku, Ka, and UHF bands to ensure redundancy and resilience against jamming.
- Wide Coverage: Provides secure communication coverage over the entire Indian Ocean Region, extending to the Eastern coast of Africa and Southeast Asia.
- Heaviest Indian Communication Satellite: Weighing ~4,400 kg, it is the largest ISRO-built satellite launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil.
- Advanced Encryption: Features anti-jamming, frequency hopping, and encrypted data links for secure military operations.
- Launch Vehicle: Deployed via LVM-3, India’s most powerful operational launch vehicle, previously used in the Chandrayaan-3 mission (2023).
Significance:
- Enhances India’s strategic and naval communication network across the Indo-Pacific.
- Supports jointness and interoperability among the three-armed forces under theatre commands.
- Strengthens India’s maritime security, crucial amid increasing Indo-Pacific tensions and surveillance needs.
- Reinforces India’s self-reliance under Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Space Defence Systems.
