Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the successful launch of ISRO’s LVM3-M6 rocket, highlighting the role of India’s youth in strengthening the country’s space capabilities.
Sharing his thoughts
on X, he said, “Powered by India’s youth, our space programme is getting more advanced and impactful.”
The Prime Minister emphasised the broader implications of the mission, stating, “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 added that this enhanced capability and boost to self-reliance would be “wonderful for the coming generations.”
Powered by India’s youth, our space programme is getting more advanced and impactful.
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… pic.twitter.com/f53SiUXyZr
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2025
The launch marked a historic milestone for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as the LVM3-M6 successfully placed the next-generation communication satellite Bluebird Block-2 into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The rocket, India’s heaviest to date, carried the 6,100 kg satellite on a mission designed under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) and US-based AST SpaceMobile.
The Bengaluru-headquartered space agency confirmed that the satellite was deployed into its intended orbit following a flight of approximately 15 minutes.
The 43.5-metre-tall LVM3-M6 rocket lifted off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 8.54 am on Wednesday, soaring majestically before the Bluebird Block-2 spacecraft separated successfully from the vehicle.
According to ISRO, this launch set a new record for LVM3, surpassing the previous heaviest payload of 4,400 kg carried by the LVM3-M5 Communication Satellite 03, launched in November 2024.
The Bluebird Block-2 satellite is designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones, supporting both commercial and government applications.
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by mobile devices.
The satellite features a 223 square metre phased array and is intended to form part of a global LEO constellation, delivering 4G and 5G voice, video, messaging, streaming, and data services worldwide.
This mission represents the third dedicated commercial launch for AST SpaceMobile by LVM3 and the sixth operational flight of the heavy-lift rocket, which has now completed eight consecutive successful launches, including Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3.
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