How ISRO's heavy-lift rocket defied limits to launch a new era in space.
On India's coast, a giant awakens. This is the story of LVM3, the rocket nicknamed 'Bahubali' for its incredible strength and heavy-lift capabilities.
Its fifth operational mission, LVM3-M5, prepared to write a new chapter in space exploration from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Aboard was CMS-03, a powerful 4,410 kg multi-band communication satellite. Its destination: a precise orbit thousands of kilometers above Earth.
This wasn't just any satellite. CMS-03 was the heaviest communication satellite ever launched from Indian soil, a true test of the rocket's power.
But there was a challenge. The satellite weighed over 4.4 tonnes, while the LVM3's official capacity for this orbit was about 4 tonnes.
How could it lift a payload nearly 10% heavier than its specified limit? The answer wasn't brute force, but brilliant engineering.
As space analyst Girish Linganna noted, ISRO used 'smart planning'. Instead of a direct path, they plotted a clever 'sub-GTO' trajectory.
The rocket gave the satellite a precise initial push into a lower orbit. From there, the satellite used its own propulsion to gracefully climb to its final destination.
The journey begins with two S200 solid strap-on boosters. They provide the immense initial thrust to lift the 642-tonne vehicle off the ground.
Once the boosters fall away, the L110 liquid core stage ignites. Its two powerful Vikas engines continue to propel the rocket through the atmosphere.
Finally, in the vacuum of space, the indigenously developed C25 cryogenic upper stage takes over. It performs the delicate final maneuver to place the satellite in its perfect orbit.
This mission continued LVM3's perfect streak. With a 100% success rate across all its flights, it's become India's most reliable launch vehicle.
This launch is a 'monumental achievement,' stated Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd.), demonstrating India's 'sovereign capability' in launching heavy satellites.
Every critical technology, from the complex cryogenic engine to the vehicle's control systems, is developed in-house. A testament to decades of dedication.
The proven success of LVM3 paves the way for India's most ambitious dream: the Gaganyaan mission, which will carry Indian astronauts into space.
The story doesn't end here. ISRO is already developing semi-cryogenic engines to upgrade the LVM3, enabling it to lift even heavier payloads in the future.
The flight of LVM3-M5 wasn't just a launch. It was a statement of ingenuity, precision, and the limitless potential of a nation reaching for the stars.
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