ISRO's 'Bahubali' Rocket Places US Communication Satellite into Orbit: A Significant Stride in India's Space Sector – PM

PTI, SRIHARIKOTA, DEC 24, 2025: In a historic Christmas Eve mission, ISRO's heaviest rocket, LVM3-M6, successfully placed a US communication satellite into orbit on Wednesday. The Bengaluru-headquartered space agency said the LVM3-M6 has successfully placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into its intended orbit.

The Bluebird Block-2 mission is part of a global LEO (Low Earth Orbit) constellation to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity through satellite. This constellation would enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming, and data for everyone, everywhere, at all times.

LVM3-M6, also known as 'Bahubali', carried the communication satellite as part of a commercial deal between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) and US-based AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC). NewSpace India is the commercial arm of ISRO.

The 43.5-metre-tall rocket soared majestically at 8:55 am from the second launch pad here. After a flight journey of about 15 minutes, the spacecraft Bluebird Block-2 got separated from the vehicle and was successfully placed into orbit.

On the successful launch, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan said: "I am extremely happy to say that the LVM3-M6 'Bahubali' rocket has successfully placed the Bluebird Block-2 satellite into the intended orbit. Let me congratulate NewSpace India and AST SpaceMobile on the outstanding achievement."

The satellite was placed in a 518 km circular orbit against the planned 520 km altitude, he said, describing it as a "textbook launch". The LVM3 rocket has demonstrated its 100 percent success rate, he added.

According to Narayanan, this is the first time ISRO has launched two LVM3 rockets within just 52 days, following the successful M5 mission on November 2. The ISRO Chairman hailed the successful launch of the Bluebird Block-2 satellite as a "New Year and Christmas gift to Bharat."

He reflected on a year of achievements, driven by high-stakes missions such as the NISAR mission, CMS-03, and the Bluebird Block-2 mission.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated ISRO and said that the success of the heavy-lift LVM3 rocket also reinforced India's growing role in the global commercial launch market.

"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 the 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," the Prime Minister added.