India’s space program reached a new milestone on December 24, 2025, when the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its heaviest payload ever from Indian soil. The LVM3-M6 rocket, often called the “Bahubali” for its heavy-lift capabilities, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, carrying the 6,100 kg BlueBird Block-2 communications satellite built by US-based AST SpaceMobile. This next-generation satellite, featuring a massive 223 square meter phased-array antenna, was precisely injected into a low-Earth orbit around 520 km altitude. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed it as a “proud milestone,” emphasizing how it strengthens India’s heavy-lift capacity and position in the commercial launch market.
Background on ISRO’s Space Journey
ISRO, established in 1969, has transformed India into a major space power through cost-effective innovations. From humble beginnings with the Aryabhata satellite in 1975 to landmark missions like Chandrayaan-3’s Moon landing in 2023, ISRO has rivaled global agencies at a fraction of the cost. The organization has launched over 100 missions from Sriharikota, including commercial ventures for foreign clients. This launch marks the third dedicated commercial mission for the reliable LVM3 rocket, following previous deployments like OneWeb constellations. India’s space ambitions include an uncrewed orbital mission soon, human spaceflight by 2027, and a lunar astronaut by 2040.
Significance for Global Connectivity
The BlueBird Block-2 is part of AST SpaceMobile’s constellation aimed at providing direct-to-mobile broadband, enabling 4G/5G services on standard smartphones without ground infrastructure. This could bridge digital divides worldwide. For India, the successful deployment of this record-heavy foreign satellite underscores its growing role in the booming commercial space sector, competing with players like SpaceX. The mission, executed under a deal with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), highlights international collaboration and ISRO’s 100% reliability in heavy launches this year.