ISRO’s LVM3-M6 launches US communications satellite BlueBird Block-2: here's all you need to know

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite aboard its LVM3-M6 heavy-lift rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 8:55.30 am IST.

The lift-off, originally scheduled for 8:54 am, was delayed by 90 seconds to avoid space debris, ISRO said. The mission was carried out for US-based AST SpaceMobile, marking a key milestone in India’s commercial spaceflight programme.

This was the sixth operational flight of LVM3 and the heaviest commercial payload carried by the rocket from Indian soil, according to official ISRO mission details. The launch followed the successful LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission on November 2, 2025.

What is the LVM3-M6 / BlueBird Block-2 mission?

The LVM3-M6 mission was a dedicated commercial launch contracted by AST SpaceMobile. ISRO confirmed that the BlueBird Block-2 satellite was successfully injected into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

ISRO has said the satellite is the largest commercial communications satellite deployed in LEO so far.



The satellite is part of AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation constellation aimed at providing space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones, without requiring specialised ground infrastructure.

What makes LVM3 a key launch vehicle?

LVM3 is ISRO’s heavy-lift launch vehicle, designed to support both national and commercial missions. It is a three-stage rocket comprising two solid strap-on boosters (S200), a liquid core stage (L110) and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).

With a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, a height of 43.5 metres, and a payload capability of up to 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, LVM3 has previously launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites.

Why this launch is significant?

ISRO said the successful LVM3-M6 mission underscores India’s growing role in the global commercial launch market. With consistent performance in heavy-lift missions and an expanding international client base, ISRO is positioning LVM3 as a dependable vehicle for high-value commercial and strategic launches, reinforcing commercial spaceflight as a core pillar of India’s long-term space strategy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated ISRO for placing the heaviest satellite in orbit from India using the LVM3 rocket and strengthening the foundation for future missions such as the Gaganyaan.

The prime minister also said that the success of the heavy-lift LVM3 rocket also reinforced India's growing role in the global commercial launch market.

ISRO's LVM3 rocket places the 6.5 tonne Bluebird Block 2 satellite of US-based form AST Space Mobile into a 520 km circular orbit.

With inputs from PTI