In a landmark mission for India's commercial space endeavours, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its heaviest commercial payload to date. The heavy-lift rocket, LVM3, carried the advanced BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite for the American company AST SpaceMobile into orbit.
A Historic Launch from Indian Soil
The launch took place on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Designated as the LVM3-M6 mission, this flight marked a significant milestone as the sixth operational flight of the LVM3 launch vehicle. ISRO confirmed this was a dedicated commercial mission, underscoring the growing role of India's space agency in the global satellite launch market.
Unprecedented Payload and Cutting-Edge Technology
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite represents a new generation of space-based technology. It is not only the largest commercial communications satellite launched by ISRO but also the heaviest payload ever to be carried by an LVM3 rocket from India. The LVM3-M6 vehicle successfully placed the satellite into a Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The satellite's primary function is to enable revolutionary space-based cellular broadband services. This technology is poised to change global connectivity by allowing direct connection to standard mobile smartphones anywhere on the planet, eliminating the need for users to have specialised satellite phones or equipment.
Boosting India's Commercial Space Ambitions
This successful launch solidifies ISRO's reputation as a reliable and cost-effective partner for global satellite operators. The mission for AST SpaceMobile, USA, demonstrates the high level of international trust in India's launch capabilities and engineering precision. The flawless execution of the LVM3-M6 mission paves the way for more such high-stakes commercial contracts, contributing to the growth of India's space economy and showcasing its technological prowess on the world stage.
The achievement highlights ISRO's consistent performance and its ability to handle increasingly complex and demanding payloads, setting a new benchmark for future commercial launches from Indian soil.
