The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully executed the LVM3-M6 mission, placing AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite into its intended orbit. Conducted aboard ISRO’s LVM3 launch vehicle, this dedicated commercial mission underscores the growing collaboration between ISRO and international partners. The flight also marks the sixth operational mission of the LVM3, further cementing its role as India’s heavy-lift workhorse for satellite launches.
LVM3, developed by ISRO, is a three-stage launch vehicle comprising two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). It has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, a height of 43.5 m, and a payload capability of 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). In its earlier missions, LVM3 successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites. The previous launch of LVM3 was the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, that was successfully accomplished on November 02, 2025.
In this mission, LVM3-M6 will place the BlueBird Block-2 satellite, into the Low Earth Orbit and is the largest commercial communications satellite to be deployed in Low Earth Orbit. It will also be the heaviest payload to be launched by LVM3 from Indian soil. The satellite is part of a next generation of BlueBird Block-2 communication satellites, designed to provide space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones.
