'Reinforces India's growing role in global commercial launch market': PM Modi after success of LVM-3 mission

ISRO successfully launched LVM3-M6 rocket for BlueBird Block-2 mission, enabling 4G and 5G satellite services.

• ISRO's LVM3 rocket launched India's heaviest satellite, BlueBird Block-2
• PM Modi hailed the launch as a milestone for India's space and commercial sector.
• The mission strengthens India's foundation for future projects like Gaganyaan

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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.

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

"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," PM Modi said in a post on X. "It strengthens India's heavy-lift launch capability and reinforces our growing role in the global commercial launch market,."

PM Modi said the LVM3 launch was also reflective of efforts towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and congratulated hardworking space scientists and engineers.

"India continues to soar higher in the world of space! Powered by India's youth, our space programme is getting more advanced and impactful," the prime minister said.

"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," he said.

"This increased capability and boost to self-reliance are wonderful for the coming generations," the prime minister said.

The launch, originally scheduled for 8.54 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota, was delayed to 8.55.30 am.

As per information shared by ISRO, the LVM3-M6/BlueBird Block-2 mission is a dedicated commercial launch, marking the sixth operational flight of the LVM3 launch vehicle.

The mission was carried out under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and US-based AST SpaceMobile. LVM3, developed by ISRO, is a three-stage launch vehicle comprising two S200 solid strap-on motors, a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).

The rocket stands 43.5 metres tall, has a lift-off mass of about 640 tonnes, and is capable of carrying payloads of up to 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.