New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a major milestone at 8:55 am on Wednesday, the LVM3-M6 rocket, moreover tabbed the Baahubali rocket, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh with the heaviest payload it has overly carried into orbit.
What Was Launched?
Onboard was the BlueBird Block-2 liaison satellite owned by AST SpaceMobile, a visitor based in the US. The satellite weighs virtually 6,100 kg, making it the heaviest commercial payload ISRO's LVM3 has overly placed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Why Is This Launch Significant?
This mission marks a major commercial success for ISRO and its commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL). The rocket that lifted off today is the sixth operational flight of LVM3 and highlights India's growing role in launching big satellites for international partners.
What Are Officials Saying?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this "marks a proud milestone in India’s space journey."
A significant stride in India’s space sector... The successful LVM3-M6 launch, placing the heaviest satellite overly launched from Indian soil, the spacecraft of USA, BlueBird Block-2, into its intended orbit, marks a proud milestone in India’s space journey. It strengthens India’s heavy-lift launch sufficiency and reinforces our growing role in the global commercial launch market. This is moreover reflective of our efforts towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Congratulations to our hardworking space scientists and engineers. India continues to soar higher in the world of space! @isro."
A significant stride in India’s space sector…
The successful LVM3-M6 launch, placing the heaviest satellite overly launched from Indian soil, the spacecraft of USA, BlueBird Block-2, into its intended orbit, marks a proud milestone in India’s space journey.
It strengthens… pic.twitter.com/AH6aJAyOhi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2025Union minister of state (independent charge) for science & technology Dr Jitendra Singh congratulated the team at ISRO for the successful launch.
"Kudos Team #ISRO for the successful launch of LVM3-M6 delivering BlueBird Block-2. With the visionary patronage of PM Narendra Modi, ISRO continues to unzip one success without another, reiterating India’s growing prowess in Space technology," he wrote on X.
Kudos Team #ISRO for the successful launch of LVM3-M6 delivering BlueBird Block-2.
With the visionary patronage of PM Sh @narendramodi, @isro continues to unzip one success without another, reiterating India’s growing prowess in Space technology. pic.twitter.com/gsnYimTwZs
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) December 24, 2025How Will the Satellite Be Used?
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is designed to unhook direct-to-mobile broadband connectivity virtually the world. It aims to provide 4G and 5G voice, video, and data services directly to standard smartphones without special receivers, a potential game-changer for network coverage in remote areas.
