LVM3 Demonstrates World-Class Reliability with Successful Deployment of Heaviest Payload

India achieved another landmark milestone in its space journey with the successful launch of the LVM3-M6 mission, which deployed the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite into its designated low Earth orbit. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, congratulated Team ISRO for the flawless execution of the mission, describing it as a testimony to India’s growing technological strength and global credibility in space technology.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ISRO continues to scale new heights, reinforcing India’s position as a reliable and capable spacefaring nation. He noted that the mission represents a major leap in India’s heavy-lift launch capability and strengthens the country’s standing in the international commercial launch market.

Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO, Dr V. Narayanan, stated that the LVM3-M6 launch vehicle performed with exceptional precision, successfully placing the heaviest satellite ever carried by an Indian launch vehicle into orbit. He highlighted that this was the third fully commercial mission of the LVM3 and demonstrated the launch vehicle’s world-class reliability and performance.

The satellite, BlueBird Block-2, is part of a next-generation constellation aimed at providing space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones without the need for specialised user equipment. The mission was undertaken under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited and US-based AST SpaceMobile, underscoring India’s growing role as a trusted launch service provider for advanced global communication missions.

With the successful flight of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3, India has once again demonstrated its technological maturity in executing complex heavy-lift missions using indigenous systems. The achievement not only boosts confidence in India’s launch capabilities but also significantly enhances the country’s stature in the global space arena, paving the way for expanded commercial and strategic space partnerships in the future.