BlueBird-2 launch: ISRO's 'Baahubali' Rocket LVM3-M6 Lifts Off With Heaviest Payload Ever
India’s heavy-lift rocket LVM3, known as Baahubali, roared into the sky from Sriharikota on Wednesday morning, carrying the heaviest payload ever launched by ISRO.
New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a major milestone at 8:55 am on Wednesday, the LVM3-M6 rocket, also called the Baahubali rocket, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh with the heaviest payload it has ever carried into orbit.
What Was Launched?
Onboard was the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite owned by AST SpaceMobile, a company based in the US. The satellite weighs around 6,100 kg, making it the heaviest commercial payload ISRO's LVM3 has ever 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 ever 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 capability and reinforces our growing role in the global commercial launch market. This is also 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…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2025
The successful LVM3-M6 launch, placing the heaviest satellite ever 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
Union 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 carrying BlueBird Block-2. With the visionary patronage of PM Narendra Modi, ISRO continues to achieve one success after another, reiterating India’s growing prowess in Space technology," he wrote on X.
Kudos Team #ISRO for the successful launch of LVM3-M6 carrying BlueBird Block-2.
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) December 24, 2025
With the visionary patronage of PM Sh @narendramodi, @isro continues to achieve one success after another, reiterating India’s growing prowess in Space technology. pic.twitter.com/gsnYimTwZs
How Will the Satellite Be Used?
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is designed to deliver direct-to-mobile broadband connectivity around 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.
