ISRO’s Christmas Milestone: Bahubali LVM-3 achieves massive success

In a historic Christmas Eve mission, ISRO’s heaviest launch vehicle, the Launch Vehicle Mark‑3 (LVM‑3) also called ‘Bahubali’ successfully placed a US communication satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) , marking the heaviest payload ever launched from Indian soil and spotlighting India’s expanding role in the global commercial launch market.

The 43.5‑metre‑tall rocket lifted off at 8.55 am from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, and after about 15 minutes of flight, placed the BlueBird Block‑2 satellite of US‑based AST SpaceMobile into a near‑perfect 518‑km circular orbit. (LEO, extending up to about 2,000 km above Earth, offers stable orbital conditions with minimal atmospheric drag, making it suitable for communications payloads.)

The mission was executed under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and AST SpaceMobile. The 6,100‑kg spacecraft is part of a global constellation designed to deliver direct‑to‑mobile 4G and 5G connectivity, enabling voice calls, video, messaging, streaming and data services directly to smartphones without dependence on ground infrastructure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO scientists and engineers , saying the mission strengthened India’s heavy‑lift capability and reinforced its global commercial launch credentials. “This marks a proud milestone in India’s space journey,” he said, adding that the reliable performance of LVM‑3 would help build foundations for future missions such as Gaganyaan and deepen global partnerships.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister congratulated ISRO on the successful launch of LVM3-M6 from Sriharikota , which carried the US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2 and placed it precisely into its intended orbit. Calling it a proud milestone, he said launching the heaviest satellite ever from Indian soil further strengthens India’s commercial space capabilities and reinforces its position as a trusted global launch partner. He extended best wishes to the scientists, engineers, and all those involved in the mission’s success.

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan described the mission as a “textbook launch” and noted this was the first time two LVM‑3 missions were completed in just 52 days, following the LVM3‑M5 mission in November. He said the launch increased India’s tally to 434 satellites for 34 countries and termed it a “New Year and Christmas gift to Bharat.”

The LVM‑3 (also GSLV Mk‑III) is a three‑stage heavy‑lift launch vehicle powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine and two S200 solid rocket boosters. The LVM3‑M6 mission was the sixth operational flight of the rocket and the third dedicated commercial launch, underlining its reliability for both commercial and human spaceflight missions.

AST SpaceMobile, which has partnered with more than 50 mobile operators worldwide, is building the first space‑based cellular broadband network accessible directly by smartphones. The BlueBird Block‑2 mission will expand this network and improve connectivity, especially in regions underserved by terrestrial networks.