ISRO on Wednesday successfully launched the BlueBird satellite using its LVM3 rocket, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling the mission a boost to India’s space capability and self-reliance.
ISRO’s heaviest launch vehicle LVM3-M6 lifts off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre carrying the US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2, on December 24, 2025.
India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Wednesday said the US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2 had been successfully placed into its intended Low Earth Orbit, marking the smooth completion of a high-value commercial mission using India’s heaviest rocket, LVM3-M6.
The confirmation came minutes after satellite separation following lift-off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota. The mission was executed under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and US-based satellite communications firm AST SpaceMobile.
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The 43.5-metre-tall launch vehicle lifted off at 8.55 am after the completion of a 24-hour countdown. Weighing about 640 tonnes, the rocket blasted off from the second launch pad, powered by two S200 solid strap-on boosters, before ascending on a precisely choreographed trajectory.
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According to UNI, the LVM3 injected the nearly 6.1-tonne BlueBird Block-2 satellite into its designated orbit around 16 minutes into the flight, maintaining the launch vehicle’s unbroken record of eight consecutive successful missions.
Speaking after the mission, ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan said all vehicle parameters performed as expected.
“I am happy to announce that LVM3-M6 has successfully injected the BlueBird Block-2 US satellite precisely into the intended orbit,” he said, while thanking the ISRO team for executing the second LVM3 mission within a span of 52 days.
Soon after the confirmation, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, congratulated the space agency for the successful mission.
Kudos Team #ISRO for the successful launch of LVM3-M6 carrying BlueBird Block-2.
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.x.com/gsnYimTwZs
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) December 24, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the broader strategic significance of the mission, linking it to India’s growing heavy-lift capability and long-term space ambitions.
“Powered by India’s youth, our space programme is getting more advanced and impactful. With LVM3 demonstrating reliable heavy-lift performance, we are strengthening the foundations for future missions such as Gaganyaan, expanding commercial launch services and deepening global partnerships,” Modi said.
Formerly known as GSLV Mk-III and nicknamed ‘Bahubali’, the LVM3 is India’s most powerful launch vehicle. The three-stage rocket comprises two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110) and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).
At present, it is capable of carrying around 10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit and four tonnes to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. ISRO is working to enhance its GTO capacity to five tonnes.
The BlueBird Block-2 mission marks the heaviest satellite ever deployed into LEO by LVM3, underscoring India’s growing reliability as a commercial launch partner. The launch contract was arranged through NSIL, the commercial arm of the Department of Space.
BlueBird Block-2 is part of AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation LEO constellation designed to enable direct-to-mobile connectivity, allowing standard smartphones to connect without specialised ground equipment.
According to ISRO, the constellation will support 4G and 5G voice and video calls, text messaging, streaming and data services, particularly in remote and underserved regions. The satellite carries a 223-square-metre phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite placed into LEO by ISRO, at an altitude of around 600 km.
AST SpaceMobile has described BlueBird Block-2 as the debut satellite of its new fleet, featuring the world’s largest commercial phased array in LEO and offering ten times higher data capacity than earlier versions.
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