India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM3, popularly known as “Baahubali,” successfully placed the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil into low Earth orbit on Wednesday, reinforcing the country’s growing credibility in the global commercial space market.

The LVM3-M6 mission lifted off from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 8:55 a.m., following a 24-hour countdown. The 43.5-metre-tall rocket, powered by two S200 solid strap-on boosters, carried BlueBird Block-2, a next-generation communications satellite built by US-based AST SpaceMobile.

Approximately 15 minutes after launch, the satellite separated successfully from the rocket and was injected into its intended circular orbit at an altitude of about 520 kilometres. According to Indian Space Research Organisation, the mission achieved precise orbital insertion as planned.

Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO, described the flight as a landmark achievement, noting that it was the heaviest payload ever carried by an Indian launcher and the third fully commercial mission undertaken using the LVM3 platform. He added that the mission further demonstrated the vehicle’s reliability and consistency on the global stage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed the success, calling it a major milestone for India’s space programme. In a statement, he said the launch strengthened India’s heavy-lift launch capability and underlined its expanding role in the international commercial launch ecosystem.

BlueBird Block-2 is designed to deliver space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard smartphones, eliminating the need for specialised ground equipment. The satellite is part of AST SpaceMobile’s broader constellation aimed at providing global mobile coverage from orbit.

The mission was executed under a commercial agreement between ISRO’s commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd, and AST SpaceMobile. ISRO confirmed that the launch was delayed by 90 seconds to avoid a potential orbital conjunction with space debris, a precaution increasingly necessary due to congestion in low Earth orbit.

Developed by ISRO, the LVM3 is a three-stage launch vehicle consisting of two solid boosters, a liquid core stage, and a cryogenic upper stage. The rocket has previously flown key missions, including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and multiple commercial satellite launches, steadily positioning India as a dependable partner for high-value space missions.

India’s LVM-3 Baahubali