India has taken a significant leap in its space exploration endeavors with the successful launch of its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, on Sunday. The satellite, weighing an impressive 4,410 kilograms (9,722 pounds), was propelled into orbit from the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh at 5:26 pm (1156 GMT). This event marks a pivotal moment in India’s rapidly expanding space program, which has gained substantial momentum over the past decade. The CMS-03 satellite was launched using the advanced LVM3-M5 rocket, an upgraded version of the vehicle that facilitated India’s historic unmanned lunar landing in August 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the achievement, stating, ‘Our space sector continues to make us proud!’ He also reiterated India’s ambitious goal of sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040. The satellite is expected to enhance secure communication links for the Indian Navy, connecting ships, aircraft, and submarines. This launch underscores India’s growing capabilities in space technology, positioning it alongside global leaders such as Russia, the United States, and China, which have previously achieved controlled lunar landings. The nation’s space ambitions were further highlighted earlier this year when Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force test pilot, became the second Indian to travel to space and the first to reach the International Space Station, paving the way for India’s planned crewed mission in 2027.