The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its LVM3-M6 rocket, nicknamed ‘Baahubali’, carrying the BlueBird 6 communications satellite developed by US-based AST SpaceMobile. The launch, conducted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh, marked the heaviest payload ever deployed by an Indian launcher, weighing approximately 6,100 kg. The satellite was placed into Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of around 520 km.
Indian Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, described the achievement as a “milestone” in India-US space collaboration, emphasizing ISRO’s heavy-lift capability and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat, or self-reliance. He highlighted that the successful mission sets the stage for future partnerships and demonstrates India’s growing technological strength in space.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also congratulated ISRO on the launch, noting that the mission reflected India’s advancing capabilities and reinforced the country’s commitment to self-reliance in critical technologies.
The 43.5-meter-tall LVM3 launch vehicle, equipped with two S200 solid strap-on boosters, lifted off at 8:55 AM following a 24-hour countdown. About 15 minutes after liftoff, the BlueBird Block-2 satellite separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The mission, conducted under a commercial contract between ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd and AST SpaceMobile, surpasses the previous record of 4,400 kg payload launched in November 2025.
This successful deployment underscores India’s growing capabilities in space technology, its commercial launch potential, and ongoing collaboration with international partners, marking a significant step forward for the nation’s space program.
