BlueBird Block-2 launch: ISRO’s LMV3 rocket lifts off with heaviest-ever satellite on Indian soil | Watch

The 43.5 metre tall rocket soared at 8.54 am from the second launch pad here and placed the satellite — heaviest-ever to be launched from Inidan soil –into the intended Low Earth Orbit, ISRO stated.

What a moment! Relive the #LVM3M6 liftoff highlights here:

For More information Visit:https://t.co/PBYwLU4Ogy
#LVM3M6 #BlueBirdBlock2 #ISRO #NSIL pic.twitter.com/hc4SoI5DI5

— ISRO (@isro) December 24, 2025

According to the space agency, this is a dedicated commercial mission onboard the LVM3 launch vehicle, that launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite of AST SpaceMobile, USA, marking the rocket’s sixth operational flight.

BlueBird Block-2 is part of a new generation of satellites that enables space-based cellular broadband services. These allow direct connectivity to regular mobile smartphones without the need for specialised equipment.

It is the largest commercial communications satellite and is the heaviest payload launched by LVM3 from Indian soil so far.

The mission was undertaken as part of the commercial agreement sealed between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) — the commercial arm of ISRO — and US-based AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC).

Soon after the launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called its “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,” he said.

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… pic.twitter.com/AH6aJAyOhi

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2025

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He added that the mission 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!” Modi said.

MoS Science and Technology Jitendra Singh hailed the ISRO team working behind the launch, and said: “With the visionary patronage of PM Narendra Modi, ISRO continues to achieve one success after another, reiterating India’s growing prowess in Space technology.”