India Launches Heaviest Satellite Ever Aboard ‘Bahubali’ Rocket

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 24,2025: India’s heavy-lift rocket LVM3, also called ‘Bahubali’, successfully launched the US-based AST SpaceMobile’s advanced communication satellite BlueBird-6 into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on Wednesday, precisely placing the American satelite and marking a major milestone in India’s commercial space capabilities.
The launch set a new record as the heaviest payload carried by an Indian rocket, with the mission focused on beaming broadband signals straight from space to everyday smartphones, eliminating the need for special devices.
After a smooth 24-hour countdown, the 43.5-metre-tall, 640-tonne LVM3 rocket lifted off majestically from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR here at about 0855 hrs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the successful launch, terming it a “proud milestone” in India’s space journey.
Addressing scientists from the Mission Control Centre, ISRO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space, Dr V. Narayanan, announced that the US satellite had been successfully and precisely placed into its intended orbit. “This is a great achievement.
All the vehicle parameters performed normally. “This is the second LVM3 mission in a short span of 52 days,” he said, congratulating the entire ISRO team.
Narayanan added that this was the third commercial mission of LVM3 and the first involving a satellite from US-based AST SpaceMobile, thanking the company for reposing confidence in Indian launch capabilities.“We have lined up more launches in the coming days,” he said.
Scientists at the Mission Control Centre, including former ISRO chairmen, senior ISRO officials, and representatives from AST SpaceMobile, closely monitored the flight with bated breath as real-time data streamed in. LVM3-M6 marked the sixth operational flight of the LVM3 and maintained its impeccable record of ninth consecutive successful missions.
ISRO said the mission carried the heaviest payload ever launched from Indian soil into LEO, weighing 6,100 kg. “LVM3 is the operational heavy-lift launch vehicle. LVM3-M6 is its sixth operational flight and third dedicated commercial mission,” ISRO said.
The mission was undertaken as part of a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Department of Space, and AST SpaceMobile LLC, USA. BlueBird-6 is part of AST SpaceMobile’s global LEO constellation designed to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity, enabling 4G and 5G voice and video calls, messaging, streaming, and data services anywhere in the world.
The satellite features a massive 223-square-metre phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed into LEO.
AST SpaceMobile describes its network as the world’s first space-based cellular broadband system designed to connect directly with standard smartphones for both commercial and government users.
Founder, Chairman and CEO Abel Avellan had earlier said the next-generation satellites would enable ubiquitous cellular broadband from space. The company plans to deploy 45–60 satellites by the end of 2026.
LVM3, formerly known as GSLV Mk III, is nicknamed ‘Bahubali’, a name originally coined by Telugu media, drawing inspiration from the blockbuster film Bahubali, in which the hero effortlessly lifts a massive lingam, symbolising strength. On Wednesday, the nickname appeared to receive informal official recognition when Dr Narayanan referred to the vehicle as the “LVM3 Bahubali rocket” while announcing mission success.
The three-stage LVM3 consists of two S200 solid strap-on boosters, an L110 liquid core stage, and a C25 cryogenic upper stage. It can currently lift about 10 tonnes to LEO and 4 tonnes to GTO, with efforts underway to enhance its GTO capacity. With this mission, AST SpaceMobile becomes the second satellite broadband customer to fly on LVM3, after Eutelsat OneWeb, which launched 72 satellites using the vehicle in 2022 and 2023.
The successful BlueBird-6 launch further cements India’s position as a reliable global player in the commercial heavy-lift launch market.